LAW OF MASS COMMUNICATION
Freedom of speech and press with particular emphasis on major legal issues confronting media practitioners; introduction to such areas of law as censorship, libel, invasion of privacy, access to information, regulation of electronic media and commercial speech.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Junior standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Interpret legal principles and doctrines related to free expression in general and press freedom specifically. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Identify theories, principles and doctrines and determine how they apply to practical situations. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Compare and contrast past and emerging controversies involving news media and the law. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Solve legal problems involving journalism and strategic communication. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Acquire the ability to collaborate effectively with other students in developing mastery of concepts and applying them. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Critically evaluate ideas from different sources, integrating (or contrasting) different theories, principles, and doctrines related to free expression. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Interpret legal principles and doctrines related to free expression in general and press freedom specifically. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Identify theories, principles and doctrines and determine how they apply to practical situations. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Compare and contrast past and emerging controversies involving news media and the law. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Solve legal problems involving journalism and strategic communication. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Acquire the ability to collaborate effectively with other students in developing mastery of concepts and applying them. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Critically evaluate ideas from different sources, integrating (or contrasting) different theories, principles, and doctrines related to free expression. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027