The Law of Mass Media
Fall 2002
JMC 404-01 (Monday, Wednesday @ 9:15) and JMC 404-02 (Wednesdays @ 3:30) 109 UCA

Dr. Mark Baggett, Department of English and Law
Office: 325 North Divinity and 206I Cumberland School of Law
Phone: 726-2309 (English) and 726-4129 (law); jmbagget@samford.edu
Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10-11 a.m.

Text: Pember, D. (2001-2002) Mass Media Law, McGraw Hill

Description: A study of law concerning mass communication, emphasizing the legal system, the first amendment, libel, invasion of privacy, gathering information, free press-fair trial concerns, and other media law topics.
Course Objects:
(1) To familiarize students with the legal history of decisions, statutes, and legislation in the field of mass media;
(2) To help students to critically and legally analyze issues of mass media law, using information from recent events;
(3) To assist students in judging the implications of mass media law in their professional careers, and to gain a knowledge in the areas of mass media law that most affect them;
(4) To give students a working knowledge of legal bibliography and of the legal profession to the extent that their careers might require experience and research in the field;
(5) To allow students to write and to articulate their own attitudes and opinions about the American system of law and particularly as it applies to the mass media.

Grading:
Midterm Exam 35%
Paper 20%
Final Exam 25%
Daily Grades/Participation 20%

Daily Grades/Participation
Participation is crucial. Absences and chronic tardiness will be factored into the grade, as well as discussion in class. This grade also includes any homework assignments and daily quizzes and class exercises. This grade will include a short summary of your visit to the Jefferson County courtroom and a law resources exercise. Homework is due at the beginning of class.
Exams
Both the midterm and final will be made up of short answer, multiple choice, short essay, and longer essay questions. They will cover the reading material, plus everything said in class, plus the outside assignments. The final exam will probably not be cumulative.
Paper
You must complete a short, approximately 5-page paper on a specific, real-world situation of media law. The paper should concentrate on your career interests and should focus on a particular problem in your field. You may use professionals or your own work experience to raise this issue, and you may use past cases. The professor will also help you formulate a topic. All papers are due November 6.

Course Schedule
Week of August 26 Introduction to Course; The American Legal System
September 2 The American Legal System and the First Amendment (Pember, chapters 1-2)
Sept. 9 Free Speech,, and the First Amendment (Pember, chapter 3)
Sept. 16 Introduction to Defamation (Pember, chapter 4)
Sept. 18 **No 9:15 class. Global Missions Emphasis Week convocation.
Sept. 23 Defamation (Pember, chapters 5-6)
Sept. 30 Privacy (Pember, chapters 7-8)
October 7 MIDTERM EXAMINATION**
October 11 Last day to withdraw from course without academic penalty
October 14-15 NO CLASS FALL BREAK
October 21 Gathering Information, Protection of Sources (Pember, chapters 9-10)
October 28 Free Press/Fair Trial (Pember, chapters 11-12)
November 4 Free Press/Fair Trial (Pember, chapters 11-12)
November 6. Papers due.
November 11 Copyright (Pember, chapter 14)
November 18 Regulation of Advertising (Pember, chapter15)
November 25 Regulation of Telecommunications (Pember, chapters 16-17)
November 27-31 Thanksgiving Holiday
December 2 Review
December 4 Last day of class
Final Exam:
For JMC 404-01: Thursday, December 12, at 8:00 a.m.
For JMC 404-02: Monday, December 9, at 6:00 p.m.