GLS 525:  Communication Law, Policy, and Ethics

Instructor:  Randy Bobbitt

 

This course examines the legal limitations on human communication, as well as the rights and responsibilities of professional communicators. The course is divided into three parts:

• The First Amendment. The basis for freedom of expression in politics and art; what the amendment does and does not say; why even unpopular speech must be protected.
• Journalism and Broadcasting. Legal and ethical limitations on newsgathering and dissemination; dealing with matters of taste and judgment.
• Communication in business. Legal and ethical limitations on the advertising and public relations industries; an overview of intellectual property law.

The following information was developed from a syllabus for a previously offered class and is subject to change.  This page will be updated as more current information becomes available.  Check with the instructor before purchasing books, etc., for this class.

Course Materials -- TBA

Grading and Evaluation

• Tests (3 @ 100 pts each)
• Oral case presentation (100 pts)
• Final exam (100 pts)
• Attendance/participation (100 pts)

See current syllabus for grade scale.

Course Components

• TESTS: There will be three tests -- one for each third of the course. Test material will come from both the assigned reading readings in the workbook and additional material presented in class. Each test will consist of true-false, multiple choice, and short answer/essay questions. If time permits, and in-class test review will provided during the previous class meeting.
• ORAL CASE PRESENTATION: Each student will be assigned a specific case and will be required to research it and prepare an informal class presentation. The presentation -- about 5 to 10 minutes -- should cover (1) the background facts of the case, (2) the plaintiff's case, (3) the defendant's case, (4) comparisons to similar cases that came before and after, (5) outcome, and (6) long-term effects for communication professionals or other affected persons (your assessment if no expert opinions are available in published sources).
• FINAL EXAM: The final exam will consist of four fictional scenarios, each dealing with a specific area of communication law. For each scenario, students will prepare a brief written analysis of the legal issues involved and argue one side or the other. Open-book, open-note. A more detailed review will be provided later in the semester.
• ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION: An assessment (on a scale of 0-100) of your enthusiasm for and commitment to the class, based on the following formula: There are four points available for each class meeting -- two for attendance and two for discussion participation (both quantity and quality). At the end of the semester, the points earned will be divided by the total number of potential points to determine a percentage; that number will be your score in this category. Students are encouraged to seek periodic updates on their attendance/participation standing throughout the semester. --------------- Obviously, you cannot earn participation points without first earning attendance points. The key to earning participation points is through completion of reading assignments and discussion starters and assertiveness in contributing to class discussions. Do not wait to be called on -- volunteer.

Class Policies and Procedures

• ATTENDANCE POLICY: Success in a graduate class requires consistent attendance. For this class, the following policy is in effect: Students missing three classes before the drop date will be encouraged to drop. Any student accumulating five absences (not including test days) at any point in the semester will receive an F. ------------- Notes from parents, doctors, nurses, roommates, funeral directors, or other sources are not considered. In order for absences to be excused, they must be verified by the Dean of Students or other university official. Neither the professor nor the Dean of Students will excuse absences that result from oversleeping, transportation problems, work conflicts, job interviews, personal travel, obligations to other classes, and non-emergency medical appointments.
• MAKE-UP TESTS: Make-up tests are given for any reason without explanation or documentation. However, the only opportunity to take make-up tests will be specified in the course syllabus. Make-up tests are substantially different from and much more difficult than the regular tests.
• SIMULTANEOUS TESTING POLICY: If you arrive late for a test -- regardless of reason -- you can begin the test only if no one has completed it. As soon as the first student has left the room, no one will be allowed to begin the test.
• READING ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS DISCUSSION: All of the background information necessary to understand the principles and cases discussed in class can be found in An Overview of Communications Law . Students are expected to read the assigned background information before class, thereby allowing class time to be used for clarification, discussion, videotapes, and guest speakers. -------------------- The primary method of instruction for this class is the "modified socratic dialogue." This means that in order to encourage advance reading of the material and stimulate discussion, students will be called upon at random to answer questions and offer opinions. Lack of preparation for class and/or reluctance to participate in class discussions will affect your grade in the "class participation" category. Shyness is not an excuse for lack of class participation. ------------------- Many of the topics discussed in this class are controversial in nature. While class discussion is most beneficial when it is open and uninhibited, it must also be constructive and respectful. It is possible to criticize another person's ideas without criticizing him or her personally. -------------------------- The professor will frequently distribute current news stories as starting points for class discussions. Students are encouraged to provide stories from their home-town newspapers or other appropriate sources for class discussion.

Calendar

The calendar for the currently offered course will be provided in the course syllabus.

Note: Cartoon used courtesy of Jeff Stahler, The Cincinnati Post, reprinted with permission.

Last Update:   June 10, 2005

UNCW/Jamie Moncrief