The Media School
Specialization in Media Law and Ethics (Bachelor of Arts in Media)
Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements MDAS20
Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Media Law and Ethics. Three (3) courses:
- MSCH-H 300 Honors Media Law in the Digital Age
- MSCH-H 410 Honors Media as Social Institutions
- MSCH-J 300 Communications Law
- MSCH-J 407 Current Issues in Media Law
- MSCH-J 410 The Media as Ethical and Social Institutions
- MSCH-L 317 Media Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- MSCH-L 322 Media Policymaking
- MSCH-L 424 Media and the Constitution
- MSCH-M 332 Media Law for Producers
- MSCH-M 453 Media Industry Topics (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-T 427 International Media Networks
- MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
MSCH-H 300 Honors Media Law in the Digital Age
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or better in MSCH-C101 and MSCH-C250; Must be a current MSCH honors student
- Description
- History and philosophy of laws pertaining to media, including free press, free speech, right of privacy, copyright, government regulation, and business law affecting media operations. Stresses responsibilities and freedoms in a democratic media system.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-H 410 Honors Media as Social Institutions
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-H 300 or MSCH-J 300; must be a current MSCH honors student
- Description
- Examines functions and impact of mass media in society with primary focus on the United States. Discusses values of media organizations and professional and ethical values of journalists. Includes critical analysis of the relationship between media and society and the effect of political, economic, and cultural factors on media operation.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-H 410, MSCH-J 410, JOUR-H 410 or JOUR-J 410
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourseSpring 2025CASE AHcourseFall 2024CASE AHcourse
MSCH-J 300 Communications Law
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 101 or consent of instructor
- Description
- Explores history and philosophy of laws pertaining to free press and free speech. Covers censorship, libel, contempt, obscenity, right of privacy, copyright, government regulations, and laws affecting the Internet and social media. Stresses responsibilities and freedoms in a democratic communications systems.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-H 300 or MSCH-J 300.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-J 407 Current Issues in Media Law
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-H 300, or MSCH-J 300; and at least junior standing
- Description
- Study of law relating to media content and production. Advanced examination of the rights of journalists in the American legal system and their role in an evolving media environment. Research using primary legal materials.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 407 or MSCH-J 407.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-J 410 The Media as Ethical and Social Institutions
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 251 and MSCH-J 300 and junior or senior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Examines functions and influences of news and public relations professionals in a networked society with primary focus on the United States. Analyzes professional and ethical values of journalists and public relations practicioners working in a digital, participatory media environment. Critical analysis of the relationship of media institutions and society, and the effects of political, economic, and cultural factors on media professionalism.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 410 or MSCH-J 410.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourseSpring 2025CASE AHcourseFall 2024CASE AHcourse
MSCH-L 317 Media Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 207 or MSCH-C 213
- Description
- An analysis of the media environment, including organizational structure, corporate responsibility, and the role of the individual in the media environment. Formulation of ethical principles to guide media policy and practice.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-L 317 or TEL-T 316.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-L 322 Media Policymaking
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 207; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Overview of basic U.S. law and government. Specific analysis of who makes U.S. media policy, how it is done, and its effects. Course includes a case study of recent policymaking that varies each semester.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-L 424 Media and the Constitution
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 207 or MSCH-C 213; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Surveys the constitutional foundations of telecommunications law and policy in the United States. Primary focus on the philosophies informing the freedom of speech and press traditions, the First Amendment and how it applies to electronic media, and government regulations purporting to promote First Amendment values.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-M 332 Media Law for Producers
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- In the complex new media age people who create and distribute content constantly intersect with an equally complex legal environment. This course explores legal issues such as contracts and permissions; intellectual property and service-marks; privacy and fraud; slander and libel; and employment and unions.
MSCH-M 453 Media Industry Topics
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 101 and MSCH-C 207, or consent of instructor
- Description
- Exploration of management or strategic problems and issues in telecommunications. Topics vary.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours in MSCH-M 453 and TEL-T 453.
MSCH-T 427 International Media Networks
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 101
- Description
- A comparative study of the development of broadband networks in different parts of the world. The interaction between national telecommunications policies and international arrangements, institutions, and structures.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Analysis of selected problems in media studies. Topics vary each semester.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- Application for internship credit approved by the school
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Topical course integrating classroom and field experience. Includes 10-day field experience during or after term offered. Field experience will change based on topic.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit with different topics in JOUR-J 418, MSCH-J 418, and MSCH-X 478.
- Specialization GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the specialization.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the specialization—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Exceptions to specialization requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.