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4200-B53 MASS COMMUNICATION LAW AND ETHICS FALL 2010

Mon.-Wed. 5:00 -- 6:15 p.m. Room: A2 115 Office Hours: Mon. 3-5 p.m. PREREQUISITES: There is no prerequisite for this course. DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to offer an introduction to the legal and ethical issues confronted by media professionals. It focuses on the responsibilities and rights of communicators st and the implications for a 21 century society. We will discuss how courts have delineated these rights and responsibilities, as well as talk about the ethical and philosophical concerns that communicators may face in the exercise of their professions. We will pay particular attention to the First Amendment by examining the major court decisions that have defined the parameters of free expression in the United States. OBJECTIVES: By the end of the semester: 1) You should understand the basis for freedom of expression in the United States. 2) You should be able to recognize and critically analyze ethical dilemmas and concerns in various communication-related professional areas 3) You should have a firm understanding of the parameters of expression in the United States and be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the liberties and restraints that have been articulated by the U.S. legal system. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Be cognizant of the important principles and challenges in the areas of mass media law and ethics. Have an understanding of the First Amendment, the three branches of the U.S. government, the U.S. legal system and the Fourth Estate. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the key principles and vocabulary of communications law. REQUIRED MATERIAL: Communications Law: Liberties, Restraints, and the Modern Media, Fifth Edition (latest edition) John D. Zelezny. Course handouts and media viewed in class DETERMINATION OF GRADES: Quizzes (3 out of 4) Midterm Exam Final Exam Classroom Participation & Attendance (includes Discussion) Grades will be assigned according to the following scale: A 92-100 C+ 77-79 A90-91 C 70-76 B+ 87-89 D 66-69 B 83-86 F 0- 65 30% 30% 30% 10% Dr. Juliet Pinto ACII, Room 318 305-919-4404 Juliet.Pinto@fiu.edu

B-

80-82

COURSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: Preparation: Mass communication law and ethics are complex areas of study, and so you will be reading and analyzing much complicated material. Please come to class prepared, so that we may engage in meaningful discussions. You will find the reading assignments detailed in the Course Schedule section of this syllabus. Those who do not come to class prepared will see their grades negatively affected. Attendance & Participation: Participation and attendance will impact your grade. Regular class attendance is essential, and absences will impact your grade. Attendance records will be used as part of the final grade. Classes start at 5 p.m., and students are expected to arrive on time. I advise you not to take this course if you think that you will not be able to attend regularly and on time. I will be posting articles dealing with current issues in media law and ethics, and you are expected to be reading them. You should come prepared to class to discuss relevant topics. Make-up work and extra credit assignments: I do not give extra credit assignments. You may be able to make-up a missed quiz or exam only if you can provide documentation of an emergency (i.e. illness or death in the family, or if FIU policy requires an academic accommodation). In the case of illness, you need a doctors note that says you COULD NOT ATTEND class, not a note saying you went to a doctor. In the case of a death, you need to provide a funeral program or obituary documenting the death and your relationship to the deceased. The university does not recognize as excused absences such things as a family event (wedding, family trip, etc.), car trouble, a work conflict, conflicts with other classes, or an internship obligation. It is your responsibility to get in touch with me within one business day in the event you qualify for a makeup exam or quiz, in order to be considered for makeup. Otherwise, all missed work will receive a zero. Conduct: Cell phones must be turned off and stowed. Anyone using a cell phone or other non-approved electronic device during class time will be dropped from the class. If you are caught using your cell phone or any other banned device during a quiz or exam, you will be in violation of the universitys policy on academic dishonesty. Laptops are permitted for note-taking purposes only, and students using laptops must use the rear row to avoid disrupting their classmates. If you need to converse with a classmate, please step outside the classroom. I reserve the right to drop you from the course if I find your behavior to be disruptive to the class. Office Hours: My office hours are on the front page of this syllabus. If you need to meet with me outside this time frame, please make an appointment. Please understand that if you show up on my doorstep unexpectedly, I may or may not be able to meet with you because even if Im in my office, I may have a prior commitment. Academic Misconduct: Plagiarism is not tolerated. Plagiarism results in an automatic F for the course. As FIU students, you are expected to strictly follow the honor code regarding academic honesty. Florida International University outlines your responsibilities as follows:

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students

are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook. Misconduct includes: Cheating The unauthorized use of books, notes, aids, electronic sources; or assistance from another person with respect to examinations, course assignments, field service reports, class recitations; or the unauthorized possession of examination papers or course materials, whether originally authorized or not. Plagiarism The use and appropriation of anothers work without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the students own. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas, expressions or materials taken from another source, including internet sources, is responsible for plagiarism. Any student who fails to meet these expectations will receive an F for the course grade and will be reported to the chair of his or her department, as well as the dean of the school. Students with Disabilities If you have any special circumstances, please make me aware of them so that you may be better accommodated. For questions and information about support services, please call the FIU Office of Disability Services at 305-348-3532 (University Park Campus: GC 190) or 305919-5345 (Biscayne Bay Campus: WUC 139). COURSE SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE): Week One: Aug. 23

INTRODUCTION Review syllabus. Discuss course objectives and requirements. Law and ethics: Values, principles and moral sources. Read chapters 1, 2 & 3. THE U.S. LEGAL SYSTEM Sources of law & court systems Introduction to freedom of expression Read chapters 4 & 5 THE FIRST AMENDMENT Labor Day Holiday (University Closed) First Amendment RISKS TO PUBLIC SAFETY Quiz #1: Law and ethics; the U.S. legal system; the First Amendment Clear and present danger & incitement to illegal conduct National Security DAMAGE TO REPUTATION Defamation Defamation Read chapter 6 INVASION OF PRIVACY Privacy Privacy

Aug. 25 Week Two: Aug. 30 Sept. 1 Week Three: Sept. 6 Sept. 8 Week Four: Sept. 13

Sept.15 Week Five: Sept. 20 Sept. 22 Week Six: Sept. 27 Sept. 29

Week Seven: Oct. 4 Oct. 6 Week Eight: Oct. 11 Oct. 13

ACCESS TO PLACES AND INFORMATION Quiz #2: Risks to public safety; defamation; invasion of privacy Access to places and information Access to places and information Review for Exam One Exam One: Law and ethics; the U.S. legal system; the First Amendment; risks to public safety; damage to reputation; invasion of privacy; access to places and information Read chapters 7 & 8 MEDIA AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM Media and the courts Media and the courts MEDIA AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM Media, the courts and the First Amendment Media, the courts and the First Amendment Read chapters 9, 10, & 11. CREATIVE PROPERTY Creative property Creative property & Freedom of Expression THE FCC, BROADCAST LICENSING & ELECTRONIC MEDIA CONTENT Quiz #3: Media and the justice system; creative property Broadcast regulation Electronic media content OBSCENITY AND INDECENCY Obscenity & indecency Obscenity & indecency Read chapter 12 COMMERCIAL SPEECH Commercial speech Commercial speech Quiz #4: The FCC & Broadcast Licensing; Electronic Media Content; Obscenity & Indecency; Commercial Speech Second Exam Review Second Exam: Media and the justice system; creative property; the FCC, broadcast licensing and electronic media; obscenity and indecency; commercial speech

Week Nine: Oct. 18 Oct. 20 Week Ten: Oct. 25 Oct. 27 Week Eleven: Nov. 1 Nov. 3 Week Twelve: Nov. 8 Nov. 10 Week Thirteen: Nov. 15 Nov. 17 Week Fourteen: Nov. 22 Nov. 24 Week Fifteen: Nov. 29 Dec. 1 Week Sixteen: Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m.

CONTRACT: I understand this syllabus represents a contract. I agree to abide by the grading and policy terms outlined in class and in the syllabus for the Fall 2010 semester. Turn this form in no later than the beginning of class, Wednesday, Aug. 25. No grades will be posted for you until you have returned this form.

Signature:

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