COMS 400: Media Law and Ethics
Prerequisites: COMS 130, or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: (3)
Examination of basic legal concepts concerning communication media and communiaction professionals. Includes case studies from the areas of constitutional law, statutory law and regulatory agency decisions. Principles and case studies in mass media ethics explored.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Professional communicators are among the beneficiaries of laws that enhance the free flow of information, and understanding the law may often be necessary to participating fully in the benefits. On the other hand, communicators may find themselves at odds with the law when their roles place them in conflict with others over competing rights.
Knowledge of the law and the U.S. legal system can help the journalist steer a safer course through the currents of public discourse and private investigation. Therefore, students will be introduced to the basic legal system--law and courts--in the United States and will systematically study the following areas of law affecting the mass media:
1) Internationa; and diverse origins of freedom of expression;
2) First Amendment theory and prior restraint;
3) Freedom of expression and balance of individual and societal rights in areas such
as the law of defamation, privacy, copyright, obscenity, access to information;
4) Regulation of the structure and content of communication channels;
5) Philosophical foundatoins of codes of ethics within advertising, journalism, public
relations, media production and other communications professions;
6) Laws and regulations affecting professional communication areas, including public
relations, advertising, journalism, and media production.
Students will also explore the philosophical foundations of codes of ethics and will discuss decision-making in the areas of editorial ethics (embracing reporting and expression of opinion), advertising ethics, public relations ethics and media entertainment ethics.
Detailed Description of the Conduct of Course
Using the case study approach and textbooks in the field of communication law, students will be guided through the study of the areas of law mentioned previously. The development of skill in analyzing and synthesizing points of law will be encouraged through discussion of hypothetical cases summaries of important cases from the textbook.
For the communication ethics component of the course, the instructors may employ case studies--real and hypothetical--and occasional role-playing to stimulate students to think about the basis of ethical decision-making, as well as the practical consequences of choosing alternative courses of action. Students will also be required to investigate a specific topic in media ethics and may be called upon to prepare a research paper or write legal briefs.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students in communication carrers will demonstrate an understanding of the common law, statutory laws, and regulations affecting the variety of communication systems. Students will sharpen their skills in reading comprehension and analytical thinking. Students should be able to describe ethical standards for professional conduct.
Assessment Measures
A research paper will be used to evaluate knowledge and awareness of media ethics. A variety of examinations will test comprehension of cases and principles in media law. The tests will combine multiple-choice questions and a written portion that will require the student to analyze hypothetical cases and apply the law and principles s/he has learned.
Other Course Information
None.
Review and Approval
February 22, 2018
Joe Flickinger, Chair