Course Description
This course examines the legal frameworks in which mass media function in the United States. Of paramount importance is the relationship among government, mass media, and the general public. The relationship includes

1. legislation (Congress);
2. regulatory policy and actions (Executive); and
3. criminal and civil judicial actions Judiciary).

Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able

• To articulate the fundamental principles of U.S. law;
  Evidence of competence: Achieving passing grade on all examinations.
  
  
• To articulate knowledge of important precedent setting cases;
  Evidence of competence: Successfully complete all legal briefs.
  
  
• To be able to discuss legal interactions in terms of social, political, and economic impact.
  Evidence of competence: Successfully complete the final Legal Essay.

Texts

• Randy Bobbit, Exploring communication law: A Socratic approach
• The New York Times (Online: Registration Required)
• Lexis-Nexis Database (through Helmke Library)

Assignments
All assignment must be completed.

1. Students will complete (3) three examinations.
2. Students will complete one (1) Legal Essay.
   Due: May 2nd (with Exam #3)
3. Students will write three (3) Case Summaries (see Case Summary).
   Case summaries are due on Exam days. They constitute part of the exam. The following cases are assigned:
   1. LINDA M. PRICE, Plaintiff, v. SAUGERTIES CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, RICHARD RHAU, Superintendent of Schools, sued in his individual and official capacity, and TIMOTHY PRICE, sued in his individual and official capacity, Defendants.
      
      UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
      
      2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8329
      Due at Examination #1
      
      
      
   2. PAUL WOLF, APPELLANT v. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY AND FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, APPELLEES
      Nos. 05-5394 and 06-5072
      UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT
      374 U.S. App. D.C. 230; 473 F.3d 370; 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 2589
      Due at Examination #2
      
   
   
   
   3. Due at Examination #3
      FERNANDO TORRES-NEGRON, Plaintiff, Appellant/Cross-Appellee, v. J & N RECORDS, LLC, Defendant, Appellee/Cross-Appellant, ANTONIO RIVERA, et al., Defendants.
      Nos. 06-2058, 06-2059
      UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIRST CIRCUIT
      504 F.3d 151; 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 23056; 84 U.S.P.Q.2D (BNA) 1769
      
   
   
   
4. Students will participate in the development of an amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief for a case TO BE ANNOUNCED.
   The group will submit the brief in advance of oral arguments to be made as part of a final presentation.
   • Example of Amicus Curiae brief for the petitioner.
   • Example of Amicus Curiae brief for the respondent.
   
   

   Grading
   Course assignments and examinations will be weighted as follows:

   Exams (150 points each)	450 points
   Case Summaries (100 points each)	300 points
   Essay	100 points
   Group Brief/Presentation	150 points
   Total	1000 points

   
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   The final grade will be based on the following scale:
   

   Points	Grade
   1000-890 points	A
   889-790 points	B
   789-700 points	C
   699-600 points	D
   599 points-below	F

   
   

   Campus Services
   

   • In making the transition from novice to experienced college student, the Center for Academic Support and Advancement (CASA) an make the critical difference. CASA offers study-skills assistance, free tutoring, supplemental instruction, and free computer-technology courses (STEPs). The center is also the advising unit for students studying English as a Second Language.
   • Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) coordinates IPFW’s programming for people with disabilities, as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Persons with qualifying disability conditions per these regulations are eligible for specialized academic support services and other assistance through SSD.
   • For questions about how the University experience will enhance your life and potential career, please contact Academic Counseling and Career Services.
   • For help with writing, please contact the Writing Center. In free one-on-one conferences, knowledgeable writing consultants will talk with you about your writing for any class, wherever you are in the writing process — understanding assignments, brainstorming and planning, revising, and polishing final drafts. Consultants help you focus, organize, develop and analyze your thoughts, revise, and work on issues of editing and style. (Consultants will not edit or proofread for you but will help you learn how to edit and proofread your own papers).
   Case Summary
   Each student is required to write three case summaries. The summaries describe the specific Court's findings.
   
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   Each summary will include:
   • Heading: Provide the case name and the year of the decision. Proper legal citation must appear under the case heading.
   • Facts: Summarize the essential facts of the case that initially lead to the legal conflict, followed by the legal history of the case up to the Court decision being briefed.
   • Issue: State the legal issue or issues raised on appeal.
   • Decision: Summarize the Court's rationale for its ruling. In other words, why did the Court arrive at its decision. Indicate who wrote the opinion and who joined in that opinion. Make sure to summarize any concurring opinions.
   • Dissent(s): Summarize any opinions that dissented from the majority or plurality.
   • Rule of law: In one final sentence, state the legal rule or principle that may be derived from the case which should guide future conduct in similar matters.

   Group Brief (TBA)
   
   
   

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