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Mass Media Law

General

Prefix

MCOM

Course Number

300

Course Level

Undergraduate

Department/Unit(s)

Mass Communications

College/School

College of Liberal Arts

Description

Freedom of expression foundations, defamation, privacy, obscenity, broadcast regulation, commercial speech and copyright in historical and contemporary legal contexts.

Prerequisites

Credits

Min

3

Max

3

Repeatable

No

Goals and Diversity

MN Goal Course

No

Cultural Diversity

No

Learning Outcomes

Outcome

Explain the origins and development of freedom of expression in the United States.

Outcome

Identify potential freedom of expression challenges mass media practitioners routinely face.

Outcome

Evaluate potential legal issues in a variety of mass communication situations.

Outcome

Apply state and federal laws pertaining to mass media institutions and practitioners.

Course Outline

Course Outline

History of freedom of expression and the First Amendment. 10% Time, place and manner restrictions on freedom of expression. 10% Defamation laws pertaining to mass media. 15% Common copyright issues facing mass media. 15% Privacy laws pertaining to mass media. 10% Obscenity and indecent speech. 15% Electronic media regulations. 15% Laws pertaining to government records and proceedings. 10%

Dependencies

Programs

MCOM300 is a completion requirement for: