Belmas, Genelle; Shepard, Jason; and Overbeck, Wayne; (2019). Major Principles of Media Law, 2019 Edition, Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-0357113127

CT306 Media Law. 3 hours. Students study the law as it relates to the First Amendment, journalism, and business. Topics include political speech, obscenity, campus speech, defamation, privacy, news, broadcasting, intellectual property, advertising, and public relations. Students investigate, discuss, and debate the issues surrounding these topics. Prerequisite: CT101

The goal of the course is to introduce the student to the study of media law. After the course, the student should have a basic understanding of the history of the law as applied to speech and expression in journalism, business, and society. Specifically:

1. Learn the history and operation of the American legal system.
2. Understand defamation, libel, slander, and prior restraints.
3. Know about copyrights, trademarks, and other media related legal issues affecting business.
4. Learn about journalist’s privilege and the balance between news and a person’s right to a fair trial.
5. Examine how the law is applied in different fields and areas using the media.
6. Understand the right of privacy and how the law treats obscenity.
7. Know the law regarding the freedom of student press.