Course prerequisites:
You MUST have already taken and passed MCOM 101 (Intro to Mass Comm) with a C or better. You CANNOT take this class concurrently with an intro courses. Because this is a 300-level course, I prefer all students to at least be juniors before they take it. The records of all students on the class list will be checked in the computer to verify that they have met the prerequisites. Please drop the class if you do not meet the prerequisite. With many more students wanting into the class than there are spaces in class, I must enforce the prerequisites.

Course description:
Media Law should give you an overview of the legal issues currently facing most forms of mass media. Much of the course will focus on the legal cases that have established current media law. Because you will be tested on your understanding of media legal issues and the cases involved, it is suggested that you put all the pertinent information about each important case and topic on a separate index card. As you read the chapters, create cards for the topics and cases mentioned. This will aid you with your study for tests, as well as prepare you for class. You should learn to apply the legal concepts we discuss in class to hypothetical situations that will be given in class and on tests. The glossary in the back of the textbook will guide you to other key legal concepts you should know. I suggest you form small study groups to aid your comprehension of the material and to study for tests. Legal concepts can be best understood through thorough discussion.

Textbooks/Supplies (Required):   
Mass Media Law (2008/09) by Don R. Pember & Clay Calvert
Notes Guide

Textbooks/Supplies (On Faculty Reserve in Library):
Free Speech for Me but Not for Thee by Nat Hentoff (For extra credit assignment if needed.)       

Course format:
The class will be primarily lecture and discussion. You should prepare for each class by reading the chapter(s) assigned. You should focus on the material covered by class lectures. You should be able discuss the facts of a case and its point of law when called upon in class. Students will also be responsible for discussion of two cases at sometime during the semester.

Grading:
Exam 1: 25 percent       
Exam 2: 25 percent       
Exam 3: 25 percent
Case presentations/class participation: 25 percent       
Free Speech Essay: Extra credit available if you do poorly on one of the first two tests.

Grading criteria for written assignments and course in general: (About 30% of your grades are written assignments and each test will have essays in the form of a hypothetical legal question. I expect you all to produce the best written work of which you are capable.)

90 - 100     ("A" & “A-”) On the written assignments, this means the paper is clear, organized coherently, and well-written. It is an effective discussion of the topic. It has no spelling, grammar, format, or accuracy errors. In terms of the course, this means you have almost perfect attendance, scores in this range on the tests, and have good questions and discussion in class.

80 - 89     (“B+”,"B", & “B-”) On the written assignments, the paper is cohesive and well-organized, although it may have some minor spelling or grammatical errors. The discussion covers almost all of the important information and follows proper format. In terms of the course, this means you have good attendance, scores in this range on the tests, and have good questions and discussion in class.

70 - 79     (“C+” & "C") On the written assignments, the paper is disorganized and contains many minor errors. The discussion missed some pertinent information or does not follow proper format. In terms of the course, this means you have poor attendance, scored in this range on the tests, and have not participated in class discussions.

60 - 69     (“D+” & "D") On the written assignments, the paper ineffectively discusses the topic; it is not coherent or understandable. It contains an unacceptable number of spelling, grammar errors and/or inaccurate information or does not follow proper format. In terms of the course, this means you have missed more classes than you have attended, scored in this range on the tests, and have not participated in class discussions. Students may receive upper level elective credit with a D, but this course will not count among MCOM credits.

Below 60     ("F")* The paper contains major factual error(s) related to the topic. The information presented is completely incorrect. The paper does not meet the requirements in page length, focus, or format. In terms of the course, this means you have missed more classes than you have attended, scored in this range on the tests, and have not participated in class discussions.  If you are caught cheating in any way, you will automatically receive an F in the course. If you attend the final exam and your average is below 60, you will receive F rather than an FX.

("FX")* This is an administrative failure for non-attendance or failure to withdraw. If you do not withdraw from the course by Towson’s preset deadlines for the semester and stop attending the class, this is the grade you will receive.

("I") Incomplete. At Towson University, students may only receive an Incomplete with “verifiable medical reasons” and “where students have completed most of the term” (Towson University Undergraduate Catalog). I recommend a medical withdrawal over an incomplete. In many years of teaching, I have had only one student finish an Incomplete.

* If you receive an F or FX, you may only repeat the course once. After repeating the course, students will only receive credit for the course once and the highest of the grades will be calculated. The lower grade will remain on the transcript with an "R" before it to indicate the course was repeated. For the transcript to reflect the repeated course, students MUST submit a Repeated Course Form to the Records Office. Transcript adjustments are NOT automatic  (Towson University Undergraduate Catalog).

Guidelines for all assignments
* NO late papers will be accepted after the last day of classes for the semester.
* Late papers will lose up to a letter grade for each day they are late.
* Do not plagiarize, fabricate, or submit work you have done for another class.

Academic Dishonesty: I do not tolerate plagiarism or fabrication of any kind. You should adhere to the University's policy on cheating and plagiarism. If you are caught breaking this policy, you will be prosecuted to the full extent that the policy allows. You should adhere to the highest possible standards of ethical behavior for this class.
* All assignments must be typed in the form requested and should contain your name, the date, and the assignment topic in the upper left-hand corner. (No folders or binders are necessary for assignments. Just staple the pages together.)
* Proofread and correctly edit your papers!

Students with Disabilities:
If you are registered with the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS), please see your instructor during the first two weeks of class to arrange your specific accommodations. If you believe you may need accommodation and have not registered with DSS, please do so by calling ext. 42638.

Student Athletes:
Within the first two weeks of class, you must have a letter from the coach explaining your place on the team and a schedule of any away games or competitions during the semester. You must take any tests or prepare any assignments that conflict with this schedule before the test or due date, not after.