Revised version 4/14, 2004, approved by University Studies Sub-Committee April 21, 2004.
A2C2 action pending.
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
PROPOSAL FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES COURSES
Department _____Mass Communication ____________________Date _____3.22.04____________
____MCOM 300___________Mass Media Law________________
Course No.
Course Name
This proposal is for a(n)
______Three (3)_______
Credits
___X___ Undergraduate Course
Applies to: ___X___ Major
___X__ Required
_____ Elective
______ Minor
_____ Required
_____ Elective
University Studies (A course may be approved to satisfy only one set of outcomes.):
Course Requirements:
Basic Skills:
Arts & Science Core:
Unity and
Diversity:
____ 1. College Reading and Writing
____ 1. Humanities
__ 2. Oral Communication
____ 2. Natural Science
Social Political
____ 3. Mathematics
___ 3. Social Science
___ 4. Physical Development & Wellness ____ 4. Fine & Performing Arts
Flagged Courses:
_____ 1. Critical Analysis
_____ 2. Science and
_____ 3. a. Global Perspectives
_____ b. Multicultural
_____ 4.. Contem. Citizenship
_____ b. Dem. Institutions
_____ 1. Writing
_____ 2. Oral Communication
_____ 3. a. Mathematics/Statistics
__X___ b. Critical Analysis
Prerequisites ______Junior Standing_________________________________________________
Provide the following information (attach materials to this proposal):
Please see “Directions for the Department” on previous page for material to be submitted.
Material Attached
Attach a University Studies Approval Form.
Attached
Department Contact Person for this Proposal:
Prof. John N. Weis, Chair____________________457.5232__________
Name (please print)
Phone
jweis@winona.edu__
e-mail address
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY STUDIES APPROVAL FORM
Routing form for University Studies Course approval.
Department Recommendation
_____ Approved
Prof. John N. Weis_________________
Department Chair
_____ Disapproved
____3.22.04_____ _____jweis@winona.edu___________________
Date
e-mail address
Dean’s Recommendation _____ Approved
_________________________________
Dean of College
Course____MCOM 300 Mass Media Law (Flag Course)____
_____ Disapproved*
________________
Date
*In the case of a dean’s recommendation to disapprove a proposal, a written rationale for the recommendation to disapprove shall be
provided to the University Studies Subcommittee.
USS Recommendation
_____ Approved
_________________________________
University Studies Director
A2C2 Recommendation
_____ Disapproved
________________
Date
_____ Approved
_________________________________
Chair of A2C2
Faculty Senate Recommendation
_____ Disapproved
________________
Date
_____ Approved
_________________________________
President of Faculty Senate
_____ Disapproved
________________
Date
Academic Vice President Recommendation _____ Approved
_________________________________
Academic Vice President
Decision of President
_____ Approved
_________________________________
President
Please forward to Registrar.
_____ No recommendation
_____ Disapproved
________________
Date
_____ Disapproved
________________
Date
Registrar
_________________
Date entered
Please notify department chair via e-mail that curricular change has been recorded.
University Studies Course Proposal
Department:
Mass Communication
Date:
3 22.04
Course Number:
MCOM 300
Course Title:
Mass Media Law
Catalog Description:
Major issues and survey of the media’s current legal status.
Prerequisite: MCOM 100, Junior Standing
USS Category Requested:
Critical analysis flag
Prerequisites:
MCOM 100, Junior Standing
Department Contact:
e-mail:
John Weis, 457-5232
jweis@winona.edu
Per WSU Regulation 3-4 (“Departments are required to submit information to the USS
specifying how [the] flagged course addresses the outcomes for each flag”), the following
material addresses points a.- c. under the Critical Analysis Flag section of the “University
Studies at WSU” document with regard to USS approval of MCOM (Mass
Communication) 300 Mass Media Law as a USS Critical Analysis flag course.
A. Recognize and evaluate appropriate evidence to advance a claim.
Throughout the course via the textbook assignments, class discussion, quizzes and
exercises students will learn the nature of legal evidence and the nature of claims made
that are based on that evidence. They will be required to understand various perspectives
of laws associated with mass communication using the mass media and the court rulings
associated with them. They will need to make decisions on how to act as professional
mass communicators in a legal manner. That, by its very nature, requires an analytical
understanding of the law.
B. Apply critical analytical skills in making decisions or in advancing a theoretical
position.
Primarily via the research paper students will enhance their critical and analytic skills by
taking a series of legal cases and evaluating the case law that has established a legal
position in the field of mass media law. They have to understand the conceptual
underpinnings to develop conclusions on the practical application of these laws to their
effective use of mass communication techniques.
C. Evaluate alternative arguments, decision strategies, or theories within a systematic
framework.
The midterm and final exams will test students’ knowledge about alternative arguments
in mass communication case law, legal theories and the strategies behind court decisions
that inform media law today. Students will be required to understand the arguments
behind legal precedents and to apply that knowledge to a mass communication
circumstance related to their option within the major. Students will have to analyze the
case and related court rulings, determine what guidelines they provide for mass
communication practitioners today, and then explain how they would use that knowledge
in their professional lives. A journalism option student, for example, would need to
demonstrate knowledge of the arguments associated with Times v. Sullivan, the findings
of the Supreme Court ruling in that case, the lessons for him/her to take from that case,
and how to apply those lessons when covering a story about a public figure facing a court
hearing in Winona, Minn.
MCOM 300, Mass Media Law
Date: Fall Term, 2003
Professor John Vivian
Winona State University
Catalog Description: Survey of legal status of the mass media in the Uited States with
the focus on free expression and unresolved problems.
Course Outline: Because the course is built partly on current news and unfolding issues,
flexibility may be necessary in the sequence of topics. These are among the subjects we
will take up: Studying mass media law and court rulings associated with these laws;
proposed legislation dealing with the mass media and mass communication, the U.S.
legal system, libel, privacy, decency, open records, open meetings, access to media,
copyright law, broadcast regulation, advertising regulation, business regulation.
General Course Information: This three-credit course is required of mass
communication majors. The course is recommended for other students, especially in
speech, paralegal, political science, history and business.
Meetings: This is a lecture course with a requirement for discussion. We meet at 6 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursday, Howell 135.
Textbook: Paul Siegel. Communicaton Law in America. Allyn & Bacon. Latest edition
in all cases.
University Studies Flag Requirements: MCOM 300 Mass Media Law fulfills the
University Studies three- (3) semester hour critical analysis flag requirements.
Assignments in this course contribute to this flag, including ongoing critical evaluation of
laws related to the mass media and course rulings associated with those laws. Students
must understand these regulations and legal precedents from all perspectives. Counter
arguments must be developed in all cases. The substantial paper required in this course in
founded on the requirement of critical analysis of the legal rulings that are foundational to
an understanding of the concepts of mass media late.
Outcomes: Below are the requirements for Critical Analysis flag courses and the course
components from Mass Media Law that meet flag requirements:
A. Recognize and evaluate appropriate evidence to advance a claim.
Throughout the course via the textbook assignments, class discussion, quizzes and
exercises students will learn the nature of legal evidence and the nature of claims
made that are based on that evidence. They will be required to analyze legislation,
existing and proposed, and court rulings related to mass media, mass
communication law.
B. Apply critical analytical skills in making decisions or in advancing a
theoretical position.
Primarily via the major semester research paper, students will enhance their
critical and analytic skills by taking a series of legal cases and evaluating the case
law that has established a legal position in the field of mass media law.
C. Evaluate alternative arguments, decision strategies, or theories within a
systematic framework.
The midterm and final exams will give students the opportunity to test their
knowledge about alternative arguments, legal theories and the strategies behind
court decisions that inform media law today.
Supplies: 40 Scantron 882 quiz sheets; two No. 2 pencils.
Grading: Your grade will be based on regular quizzes and exercises, on a midterm
exam, final exam and comprehensive analytical paper at the end of the term. Quizzes: 1
point for every correct answer. Take-home, library and other exercises: Points to be
announced; research analysis paper, 100 points; midterm exam, 100 points; final exam
100 points.
Grade Scale: A, 95-100 percent; B, 85-94; C, 75-84; D, 70-74.
Exercises: These include take-home, in-class, and library research and legal analysis
exercises.
Attendance: Participation, a grading factor, is impossible without it.
Quizzes: Expect regular quizzes on your progress through the textbook. Most quizzes
will be multiple choice, true-false, fill-in and matching. Corrected Scantrons generally
will be available the next class.
Exams: The midterm and final exams will be cumulative. Their form will be announced
in advance.
Course Outline:
First Week:
Sept. 2
Why Study Mass Media Law?
Second Week:
Sept. 9
Understanding the Complex U.S. Legal System (Chapters 1)
Third Week
Sept. 16
First Amendment (Chapter 1, 2)
Fourth Week
Sept. 23
Libel (Chapter 3)
Fifth Week
Sept. 30
Libel (Chapter 4)
Sixth Week
Oct. 7
Libel (Chapters 3, 4)
Seventh Week
Oct. 14
Privacy (Chapter 5)
Eighth Week
Oct. 21
Obscenity (Chapter 11)
Ninth Week
Oct.28
Fifth and Sixth Amendments (Chapter 8)
Tenth Week
Nov. 4
Access to Records, Meetings (Chapters 7, 9)
Eleventh Week
Nov. 11
Access to Media
Twelfth Week
Nov. 18
Copyright (Chapter 14)
Thirteenth Week
Nov. 25
Broadcast Regulation (Chapter 12, 13)
Fourteenth Week
Dec. 2
Advertising Regulation (Chapter 10)
Fifteenth Week
Dec. 9
Business Regulation
Sixteenth Week
Dec. 16
Final Exam (See university calendar)
Noncompletion Of Course: You may request an I grade if unforeseen, nondiscretionary
events in the last few days of the course prevent completion, as long as you have been
performing at a C level or better. With an I, it is your responsibility to complete
requirements in accordance with university deadlines as explained in the catalog.
Students On Probation: If you need data for the academic appeals committee before
pre-registration, please give me the form. It will be completed and returned directly to
the committee, with a reference copy to you.
Varsity Athletics: Varsity athletics are responsible for providing status reports on their
academic progress directly to their coaches. Inquires about you class performance wil
not be honored from anyone other than you.
Note-Taking: Note-taking is encouraged. My lectures include copyrighted material
from other sources. For your protection, please do not record classes devices without
permission from copyright owners. If you wish to make further use of copyrighted
material from class, I will try to help you identify and locate copyright owners so you can
obtain their permission.
Academic Honesty: You are responsible for adhering to the statement of academic
honesty in the university catalog.
My Availability: My office hours are immediately after class in Phelps 113-C office. I
also am available at other times, but because my responsibilities have me in and out of
my office, please call ahead, 457-5231, to be sure that I am in. Usually the best time to
discuss class issues is immediately after class when lecture material is fresh. With rare
exception, I am available as long as necessary after class. At home my number is (507)
523- 2294, a toll call from Winona.
Web Site: MCOM 300 web site includes several pages in addition to this syllabus. Click
your way to additional course information at the top of the left column on this page.
Improving The Site: I am working to improve the MCOM 300 web site a useful tool for
you and future students. If you spot problems or have ideas to improve the site, please let
me know by clicking John Vivian on the website.