Instructors:
OVERVIEW
Using a case study approach, students will be exposed to specific areas of
communication law and ethics. This course will acquaint students with aspects
of the American legal system related to journalism and the mass media, and
will instill in students an appreciation for the underpinnings of American
democracy as expressed in the law. Further, ethical questions journalists
must face at the edges of the law will be explored.
COURSE
FORMAT
This class meets for lecture and discussion each Tuesday and Thursday. Class
sessions will be based on assigned readings (see the
schedule).
Students who are not
present at class sessions deprive themselves of information provided by the
instructor that will be essential to successful completion of the course.
Even more, they also deprive their classmates of the opportunity for interactive
discussion and the sharing of experiences, opinions, questions, arguments
and ideas. Each member of the class is expected to prepare for class by completing
the readings and other assignments for the day, and to be present, on time,
for the entire class period. See OTHER COURSE POLICIES.
READINGS
Reading assignments are noted on the schedule posted on the class KATIE site.
Texts for this course will be:
-
The law of
journalism & mass communication by Robert Trager, Joseph Russomanno,
and Susan Dente Ross (McGraw-Hill, 2007, ISBN 978-0-07-287939-1) and
-
Media ethics:
Issues and cases (Fifth Edition) by Philip Patterson and Lee Wilkins
(McGraw-Hill, 2005, ISBN 0-07-288259-X).
These texts are available
in the bookstore and should be obtained before the beginning of the second
class session. Additional readings, as noted on the
schedule, will be made available on the class web site.
OTHER
COURSE MATERIALS
It is essential that you have access to the class world-wide web site to access
all required readings.
Through a Sense of
Vocation grant, you will also receive, at no cost, a reference book for this
course: The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law edited
by Norm Goldstein (Perseus Books, 2007; ISBN 0-46500-489-X). No need to purchase
it as they will be distributed in class.
OBLIGATIONS,
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
Your overall grade for the course will be based on a scale of 1000 points calculated
from:
-
Reading
& Participation: Being present, on time, prepared and engaged
with the subject material in class discussions (250 points). May include
pop quizzes on readings, at instructor’s discretion.
-
Writing:
- Four news writing assignments
(50 points each, 200 points total).
- A paper of 6 to 8 double-spaced
typed pages which incorporates insights from the reporting experiences,
readings, and class discussions. Papers will be graded on depth of
topic, substance, focus, clarity, the number, quality and intelligent
use of appropriate sources, strength and originality of ideas, and
caliber of writing. (100 points total).
-
Presentation:
An oral presentation to the class of the key findings in your project.
This will be a speech of 3 to 5 minutes. It will be graded on substance
of material, quality of extemporaneous presentation, clarity of thought
and structure, and appropriate preparation and use of media or visual
aids (100 points).
-
Quizzes:
Four (of five) in-class quizzes on readings. Your personal lowest quiz
score will be eliminated at the end of the semester (25 points each, 100
points total).
-
Exams:
A midterm (100 points) and a final exam (150 points).
GENERAL
POLICIES FOR ALL COURSES
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Students who feel they need special
accommodations for lectures, exams or other aspects of the course are encouraged
to speak with the instructor as early as possible in the term.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is expected of all registered students
at all scheduled meetings of each class, and attendance records are maintained.
Most classes involve group interaction and/or projects, and you cheat your colleagues
out of part of the interactive experience when you are not there. Someone is
investing large sums of money in you so that you may attend this college. Therefore,
maximizing the benefit of this opportunity should be your primary occupation
during your time here. If your absence for any class session is unavoidable
for ANY reason, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor IN ADVANCE
-- either in person, by phone (voice mail), or via e-mail
-- in order to be excused, just as you would notify your employer if you were
to miss work. This policy has implications for deadlines and exams:
ASSIGNMENTS: Deadlines are firm. No assignments will be accepted
late unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor. If
you anticipate a serious problem, discuss it with the instructor in advance
of the deadline. You are urged to begin your work before the last
minute. Computer difficulties occurring the night before the deadline ("the
dog ate my disk," "the printers were all busy") do not
constitute a valid excuse. Papers or speeches of less than the assigned
length are considered incomplete and graded accordingly. Paper length
is judged by the page, not your word processor's word count.
MAKE-UP EXAMS: A student who wishes to make up an exam or
quiz missed due to medical or family emergencies must notify
the instructor of the problem by telephone or e-mail before the scheduled
exam. The student also must submit a written request for a make-up
exam to the instructor, stating the reason for absence and accompanied by documentation
of the emergency or illness. This written request may be submitted after the
exam, so long as the instructor has been notified in advance.
UNETHICAL CONDUCT: Plagiarism (i.e., incorporating the words
and ideas of others without due attribution) and cheating of any sort will not
be tolerated, and will be dealt with according to the provisions of the Luther
Student Honor Code (see Student
Handbook).
COMPLAINTS: We are open to hearing student concerns or complaints
related to the course and wish to know your thoughts. Please speak with us during
office hours or send e-mail with your concern. If you feel uncomfortable speaking
with the instructor about a concern, you may consult Dr.
Guy Nave, Coordinator of Paideia Capstone; Dr.
William Craft, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs; and/or other
relevant authorities.
