MASS COMMUNICATION 451 -- Media Law & Ethics

Spring 2004

MWF: 12:00     Miller 223

Instructor:  Dr. Keller

Office: Miller 216;  MWF: 2:30 - 3:30.  Others by appointment.  Phone:  6822; e-mail tkeller@ehc.edu

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This course is designed for seniors in mass communication to examine media law and contemporary communication issues in detail immediately prior to seeking a job in the communication field. Because the course is considered a capstone course, students are expected to have a basic understanding of how media work in the United States and to have had some personal experience in the field, either in campus media, internships or other jobs. Even though students will gain a working knowledge of media law, they will also come to understand that legal decisions and ethical decisions are often different.  Through case studies and class discussion, students will come to recognize many of the familiar ethical dilemmas that journalists face as they attempt to abide by legal requirements and maintain moral standards.  Students will also develop a more thorough understanding of the judicial system.  Course pre-requisite: senior status.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Don R. Pember. Mass Media Law.  Boston:  McGraw-Hill, 2003/2004

 

The CD-Rom student study guide that accompanies the text is also required.

 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Typing.        All assignments to be turned in must be typed and neat.

 

2.  Spelling and grammar.      As in all mass communication classes, you will be expected to understand and employ the basic rules of grammar.  College-level work is expected to be free of misspellings and grammatical errors and papers with such mistakes will generally receive no higher than a ÒCÓ grade.

 

3.  Plagiarism.   Plagiarism includes using the words or ideas of others without acknowledgment.  Because it is considered literary theft, it is grounds for failure. If you are found to have used the work of others without proper citation in this class, whether intentional or accidental, you will receive a failing grade on the paper and possibly in the class as well. Please note that the college community in general is focusing more intently on plagiarism violations. If you have questions about how to prepare college-level papers, please discuss this issue with the instructor.

 

4. Current events.       Students are expected to remain abreast of current events and issues that may relate to this course.

 

5.  Attendance.            You are expected to attend all classes.  If you have an urgent family or medical problem, arrange to be excused in advance. After three absences, 5 points will be deducted from your daily grade each time you miss class.

 

QUIZZES

A student study guide is required.  You are expected to complete the section for each chapter prior to class on the day the chapter appears on the syllabus.  The study guide requires a lot of time, but if you complete it as you read the chapter, you will be well prepared for class discussion and for quizzes.  You will be quizzed regularly on information covered in the study guide.  These quizzes will be totaled for a major part of your grade.

 

TESTS

There will be two major tests during the semester.  Each one will cover a lot of material, but if you keep up with your reading and complete your study guide regularly, you will likely understand the material and do well.             

 

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS

Other assignments may be added.

 

OUR GENERAL MISSION:

Remember that the College Mission Statement includes the motto, AIncrease in Excellence.@ Please strive to employ this motto in your academic and personal endeavors.  You may be able to get by with mediocrity, but it is hoped that your standards will be much higher for yourself and for those around you. We would like for Emory & Henry to be a special community where each person is committed to service to others as well as to intellectual achievement.  Imagine the kind of world you would like to live in and create it -- beginning with the class.  (And treat people the way you would like to be treated.)

 

GRADES:

 

Daily grade: quizzes, class participation,

attendance, punctuality                                                            25%

Tests                                                                                        50%

Final exam                                                                               25%

 

Media Law & Ethics

 Spring 2004

Tentative Course Outline Ð subject to change.

 

Wednesday, January 14          Course Introduction

Resume guidelines

 

Friday, January 16                   Pember, Ch.1 Ð The American Legal System

 

Monday, January 19                Pember, Ch.2 Ð The First Amendment

Resume Draft due

 

Wednesday, January 21         

 

Friday, January 23                   Pember, Ch. 3 Ð The First Amendment:  Contemporary Problems

 

Monday, January 26

 

Wednesday, January 28                     

 

Friday, January 30                   Pember, Ch. 4 -- Libel

 

Monday, February 2                 Revised Resumes due

 

Wednesday, February 4                       Pember, Ch. 5 Ð Libel:  Proof of Fault

 

 

Friday, February 6       

 

Monday, February 9                 Winter Forum

 

Wednesday, February 11         Pember, Ch. 6 Ð Libel:  Defenses and Damages

 

Friday, February 13     

 

Monday, February 16              

 

Wednesday, February 18         Winter Forum

 

Friday, February 20                  Test #1, Chapters 1-6

 

Monday, February 23               Pember, Ch. 7 Ð Invasion of Privacy:  Appropriation and Intrusion

 

 

Wednesday, February 25         Pember, Ch. 8  -- Invasion of Privacy:  Publication of Private Information and False Light

 

Friday, February 27                 

 

Monday, March 1                    

 

Wednesday, March 3               Pember, Ch. 9 -- Gathering Information:  Records and Meetings

 

Friday, March 5           

 

Monday, March 8                     Spring Break

Wednesday, March 10 Spring Break

Friday, March 12                      Spring Break

 

Monday, March 15      

 

Wednesday, March 17 Test # 2, Chapters 7-9

 

Friday, March 19                      Pember, Ch. 10 --  Protection of News Sources:  Contempt Power

 

Monday, March 22                  

           

Wednesday, March 24             Pember, Ch. 11 -- Free Press/Fair Trial: Trial Level Remedies and Restrictive Orders

 

Friday, March 26                      Discuss Black v. Commonwealth assignment

 

Monday, March 29                   Pember, Ch. 12 Ð Free Press/Fair Trial: Closed Judicial Proceeding

 

Wednesday, March 31

 

Friday, April 2                

 

Monday, April 5                        Pember, Ch. 13ÑRegulation of Obscene and Other Erotic Material

 

Wednesday, April 7                   

 

Friday, April 9                           Easter Break

Monday, April 12                      Easter Break

 

Wednesday, April 14               Pember, Ch. 14 -- Copyright 

 

 

 

Friday, April 16                         Mass Comm. Day       

 

Saturday morning workshops Ð 10:30 a.m.

 

Monday, April 19                      Test #3 Ð Chapters 10-13 

 

 

Wednesday, April 21                Ch. 15 --  Regulation of Advertising

           

Friday, April 23                        

 

Monday, April 28                      Pember, Ch. 16 Ð Telecommunications Regulation

 

Wednesday, April 30    Last day of class.