MEDIA LAW & ETHICS 461/561
FALL SEMESTER 2014
SYLLABUS
Professor:
Chris Crutchfield
138 Stewart Hall
Office:
612-245-3745 or 320-308-3293 (main office)
Classroom: Stewart Hall 120
Time:
6:00-8:45 p.m. Wednesday Evenings
Office hours: Appointment only
Required Texts:
Advertising and Public Relations Law,
Moore, Maye & Collins, Routledge Publishing
Intro to the Law of Public Relations & Advertising,
Frank Walsh, 3rd edition, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Supplementary readings and on-line research:
COMM 461 IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR MASS COMMUNICATIONS MAJORS IN
THE ADVERTISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS SEQUENCES. CATALOGUE
DESCRIPTION: COMM 461/561. Media Law and Ethics: First Amendment
foundation, commercial speech, with an emphasis on state and federal advertising
regulation, copyright, media ethics and diversity in historical, theoretical and practical
contexts. Prereq: 220, admitted COMM major/minor (advertising or public relations)
with senior standing, or permission of instructor. 3 Credits.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: SECOND YEAR OFFERING. There are three main
objectives for this course: 1) to assist students in recognizing and avoiding serious
infractions of the law in preparing material for the promotional media of mass
communication; 2) to suggest contemporary ethical standards and considerations within
the framework of common law, statutory law and constitutional law; and 3) to
demonstrate the problems of balancing individual rights against the rights of society,
particularly in terms of promotional media, journalism and the mass media, with a strong
undercurrent of influences of diversity.
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Topics to be covered
1. Basic government and legal structure
2. The first freedoms and freedom of speech
3. Privacy
4. Trademark
5. Copyright
6. Defamation
7. Commercial Speech
8. Regulations/FTC
9. Contracts
10. Practical legal diversity issues
11. Practical legal ethical issues
12. Legal responses to media crisis
13. Practical business legal issues
PROCEDURES : Students will be expected to have read the assigned material prior to the class
periods in which particular topics will be discussed. No term paper is required for this course for
undergraduates because careful and sustained study of the issues is essential to successful
completion of the course.
Class attendance and participation are crucial to successfully complete this course. The
instructor reserves the right to call upon students in class to discuss various issues covered in the
lectures and required reading materials. The premium considerations in an oral response are
reasoning based on the readings, not necessarily the correct answer. Those students who fail in
preparation will be docked accordingly at the grading time, especially in borderline cases.
Grading:
Examinations:
Quizzes:
Assignments:
Attendance/participation:
70%
10%
15%
5%
There will be two examinations during the quarter. Major examinations are announced in the
course schedule, subject to change by announcement in class. The instructor reserves the right to
give announced and unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. Students who miss quizzes
or major examinations without notification in advance will receive a zero. Grades will be
determined on the basis of total points earned, then assigned a letter grade. GRADE SHADING
OF PLUS OR MINUS IS USED.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The faculty of the Department of Mass Communications does not to
accept "D" as a passing grade for courses taken within the department for majors or minors.
Therefore, any student earning a "D" or "F" grade in any of the department's courses will have to
retake the same course for a better grade if he or she plans to major or minor in mass
communications. THIS COURSE IS SO IMPORTANT THERE WILL BE NO
PROMOTIONAL GRADES ASSIGNED.
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From time to time, the instructor may announce optional study and discussion sessions. These
sessions will be open to all students but students experiencing conceptual problems with the
subject matter are the targets of these extra sessions. This is an opportunity for students to ask
questions of the instructor and to obtain hints aimed at improving "testpersonship."
The key to success in this course is you. I suggest the following study techniques:
1)Attendance can be the key. Choosing not to attend can be a deal breaker. There
will be a heavy emphasis on class notes in tests. Be on time, but don't miss an entire
class period because you are a few minutes late. 2) Read required material before
class on a topic area. 3) Consider forming or joining student study groups. Two to
four heads are better than one every time. 4) **After each topical area is complete,
prepare a study outline based on lecture notes, lead text and supplementary readings.
Class notes should highlight what your instructor thinks is important. 5) If you are
experiencing extreme difficulty, try not to simply stew about it in hopes it will go
away. It won't. If anything, it'll get worse. See your instructor for guidance.
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
SCSU Department of Mass Communications is committed to preserving and
fostering diversity and complying with the equity guidelines set by the university.
At the department level, we recognize diversity in faculty,
staff, and students, and we strive to enhance the richness offered by this great
opportunity.
I value giving voice to all in a respectful environment.
NOTA BENE: This course focuses on the outer limits of free expression as well as
bedrock principles. Unpopular forms of communication include racist, sexist,
indecent, homophobic, politically incorrect, unpatriotic and anti-Semitic words and
images. Accordingly, some of the language, topics and sources involved in media
law may challenge your sensibilities. For questions or concerns, please contact your
professor for a conference.
SPECIAL NOTE: All testing materials are the property of the professor or the
department. Misappropriation will result in disciplinary action and automatic
course failure as will all other forms of academic dishonesty. SEE STUDENT
HANDBOOK.
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES AND PAGERS DURING THE CLASS TIME
UNLESS SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST.
No texting during class.
Best method to contact professor with information about missing class is by E-mail.
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SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COMM 561 STUDENTS:
Graduate students are required to excel in all aspects of a COMM 461-561 taken
concurrently with undergraduate’s students. The following requirements may not be
waived: 1. Mandatory class attendance; 2. Mastery of subject matter, which means
scoring at least B or A level on all three exams; 3. Conferences with the instructor during
the second and eighth weeks of the semester; 4. Completion by the last day of class of a
term paper in a selected topic approved by the instructor consistent with the student's
graduate school curriculum. About 15 pages long; about 20 to 30 footnotes. The paper
shall demonstrate graduate-level research skills, analytical thought and writingpresentation. Varied sourcing expected. 5. Optional extra credit: willingness to assist
professor with tutoring students who require additional assistance.
Media Law and Ethics (COMM 461)
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OBJECTIVES:
Students will understand how to:
Analyze the legal and ethical problems and solutions relevant to mass
communications and to audiences
Develop ethical principles and their application in professional
practice, including the core principles of truth, fairness and diversity.
Develop skills in critical thinking, clear and thoughtful
communication and open inquiry through research and creative
activity through analyses of media ethics case studies with emphases
on applicable ethical origins, professional ethical standards, ethical
dilemmas and applying ethical guidelines.
Employ and utilize the principles, laws, rights, and responsibilities of
free speech and the media, including the right to dissent, to monitor
and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of
grievances.
Apply the legal aspects of the media and its regulatory environment
(including the First Amendment and its meaning for professional
practices and democracy) to media practices.
Address the relationships between issues of diversity and laws,
policies, social relationships and cultures of America.
Clarify and articulate their own values through the expression of
opinion and an understanding of the difference between opinion and
fact through the explication of various contemporary media case
studies.
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Mass Comm Law 461/561 Schedule
6:00-8:45 p.m. Wednesday Evenings
Wed, Aug. 27
Roll call, introduction (Intro Quiz) Group assignments
Wed., Sept. 3
U.S. Legal Systems & Introduction to Law
Wed., Sept. 3
First Freedoms/ First Amendment & Privacy
Wed., Sept. 10
The law of Copyright
Wed., Sept. 17
The law of Trademark
Wed., Sept. 24
No Class MACCAC
Wed., Oct. 1
Midterm Examination
Wed., Oct. 8
No Class Fall Break
Wed., Oct. 15
Defamation
Wed., Oct. 22
Commercial Speech
Wed., Oct. 29
NO CLASS
Wed., Nov 5
Regulations/FTC
Wed., Nov 12
Data Privacy and FOIA
Wed., Nov 19
General Law of Contracts
Wed., Nov 26
No Class/Thanksgiving
Wed., Dec. 3
Data Practices
Wed., Dec. 10
Exam Prep
Wed., Dec. 17th
FINAL EXAMINATION
Regular class time and room.
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