REQUIRED TEXT
There is no text for this class. Readings are online or posted to Blackboard. We will be making heavy use of http://www.ssrn.com/update/lsn/cyberspace/csl_lessons.html, Cyberspace Law for Non-Lawyers.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is intended to introduce students to American law and regulation as it pertains to the new media (Internet, multimedia, satellite, digital communication). Because legal issues permeate society, it is important for potential communication professionals to understand the principles of media law, both as observers of the judicial process and as potential participants in legal matters stemming from professional activities. As the new communication technologies become more integrated into our media landscape, new legal and ethical issues are being debated and new law is made every day. Historical perspectives will be discussed, but the primary focus of the class is on the current status of communicators' legal rights and the theoretical underpinnings on which they're based. This course will help you both as citizens and as prospective media professionals.

This course is designed to sharpen your ability to think critically in addition to learning the fundamentals of law in cyberspace. Class format will consist of lecture and class discussion. I encourage you to take an active role in these discussions. As much as possible, we'll use hypothetical scenarios to help apply the readings to practical situations.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Because the study of law will be foreign to most of you, we'll spend time discussing actual and hypothetical cases so that you will attain a deeper understanding of the law. Concentrated, thoughtful effort with this material will help you to succeed in this class, so make sure to keep up with the readings.

We will develop:

1. knowledge of the historical, legal, and ethical precedents which inform our notions of free expression in the United States
2. comprehension of regulatory issues and controversial legal issues associated with new communication technologies
3. skills to connect legal principles (including free expression, privacy and copyright) with everyday issues arising in the media workplace
4. tools for thinking deeply about the development and impact of new media technologies

We can all learn from one another and benefit from each other's knowledge and experiences. We each have something to contribute, and I believe that students often bring new insights to a subject or raise new questions. The study of law involves lots of questioning, and open-minded inquiry can be truly enlightening. The questions are particularly relevant in the atmosphere of technological innovation in which we live. We are unsure of where were headed with new technologies, and our attempts to navigate a social course through the bewildering terrain are evident in the laws we apply and develop.

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS
Exams. People learn by different means and, consequently, need different tools of assessment. There will be two exams in this class which will consist of both objective questions (fill in the blank, short answer, multiple guess) AND short essay questions. The exams will cover material in discrete portions of the class ... in other words, they will not be cumulative. The purpose of the exams is to gauge your progress toward the learning objectives set out above. Each exam is worth 100 points.

Assignments/hypotheticals. You will asked to submit three responses to hypothetical cases during the semester. Papers should be around 3-4 pages in length (depending on the case law covered). You will be graded on several criteria: answering the question, clear articulation of legal or ethical principles, clarity of thought, organization, thoroughness of analysis, and general grammatical correctness. Details on these assignments will be forthcoming. The purpose of the hypothetical assignments is to help you to apply your knowledge of course material to real legal situations. Each one is worth 100 points.

Graduate Students. In lieu of the final exam, graduate students will submit a research paper examining a legal or ethical principle surrounding new media. The purpose of the research paper is to examine a legal issue pertaining to the media in greater depth and to practice your academic writing skills. The paper will be worth 200 points. Details will be provided.

 

CLASS POLICIES
Attendance. Participation in class increases levels of comprehension and makes class more interesting. Therefore, your success in this class, and the success of the course as a whole, will depend on your being here. Your class participation grade is based on two factors: contributing meaningfully to class discussion and regular attendance. Two absences are permitted; more than two absences will detract severely from your final grade. Letting me know about an absence beforehand, if possible, is always a good idea.

In addition, students are responsible for all information noted on the syllabus and for all information given in the classroom.

Email policy. All email messages to me must include "BTMM 322" in the subject line to guarantee they are received and read. The most appropriate emails are addressed to me, written in professional language, regard questions that are of immediate concern, and require brief responses.

Deadlines and responsibilities. All assignments must be typed and double-spaced. Late work will be permitted ONLY in case of emergency or if circumstances are cleared with me prior to the due date. Late work submitted without prior approval will be penalized — one plus/minus letter grade for each weekday of lateness. Also, an environment of respect among students and the instructor is necessary to facilitate learning. We all have a responsibility to respect the rights and opinions of others in the classroom.

Academic Integrity. Cheating or plagiarizing the work of another will be penalized with an automatic F for that assignment. Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another person's labor, ideas, words, or assistance. In other words, work done in this class is to be YOUR work. Please refer to your student handbook for further information about academic honesty.

Special Needs. It is our desire that all students fully participate in our department's curriculum, but we need your assistance. If you have a disability or condition that compromises your ability to complete the requirements of this course, you must notify the instructor immediately. All reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your needs. Further, if you do not understand or accept the contents or the terms of this syllabus, you must notify the instructor in writing within the first week of class.