The Media School
Minor in Media Law and Ethics (Minors)
Students on Summer 2023, Fall 2023, or Spring 2024 requirements MDLWETMIN
Requirements
The minor requires at least 15 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Introduction to Media Law and Ethics. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 207 Introduction to Media Industry and Management
MSCH-C 207 Introduction to Media Industry and Management
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introductory analysis, using a case-study method, of how media industries such as broadcasting, cable, and telephone are structured, funded, and regulated; how media organizations create and market programs and products, and how they manage their operations.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 207 or TEL-T 207.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 2024CASE SHcourse
- Advanced Media Law and Ethics Electives. Four (4) courses:
- MSCH-J 300 Communications Law
- MSCH-J 407 Current Issues in Media Law
- MSCH-J 409 Media Management
- MSCH-L 317 Media Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- MSCH-L 322 Media Policymaking
- MSCH-M 310 Disruptors: Internet Industries
- MSCH-M 322 Internet Ecosystems
- MSCH-M 330 Production Management
- MSCH-M 332 Media Law for Producers
- MSCH-M 413 Global Media Issues
- MSCH-M 421 Media Economics
- MSCH-T 311 History of Electronic Media
- MSCH-T 427 International Media Networks
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.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 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.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-J 409 Media Management
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Research seminar that examines techniques and processes used in managing media organizations. Through discussions, case analysis, and group projects, the course explores organizational missions and social responsibilities, market analysis techniques, personnel management issues, and budgeting.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 409 or MSCH-J 409.
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.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 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.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-M 310 Disruptors: Internet Industries
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 101
- Description
- What is the cultural mindset of technology entrepreneurs? How and why did the rise of Silicon Valley occur? This course considers the economic, social, financial, and legal forces present in the disruption industry, and how entrepreneurs leverage digital technologies and change the rules of how societies think and interact.
MSCH-M 322 Internet Ecosystems
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 207; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Covers the evolution of media network technology, policy economics, and industries from the 1870s to the present. Explores basic telecommunication transmission and switching, general operational concepts, and societal and cultural effects of telephony and the internet in the United States.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-M 330 Production Management
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 223 and MSCH-C 228 OR MSCH-C 229; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Explores the organizational, economic/ business, and legal aspects of production management of commercial and noncommercial projects, including television and news media.
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 413 Global Media Issues
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 101, or consent of instructor
- Description
- Advanced study of media from a global perspective focusing on particulars, trends, or issues. Topics vary.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-M 413 or TEL-T 413.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-M 421 Media Economics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 207; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Analysis of market structure and behavior of firms and organizations in broadcasting, cable television, motion picture distribution, print media, common carrier, and other communications industries. Policy and strategy applications.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-M 421 or TEL-T 421.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-T 311 History of Electronic Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 207 or MSCH-C 213, or consent of instructor
- Description
- Discussion of how today's electronic media was shaped by past inventions, business innovations and regulatory decisions. Traces the development of mass communication from the telegraph to the telephone, radio, and television to the arrival of digital communication technologies.
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.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 2024CASE SHcourse
- Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Minor GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Minor Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
- Minor Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Minor Residency. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
Minor Area Courses
-
Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:
- Any course at the 100–499 level with the
MSCHsubject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent - Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
- Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
- Any course at the 100–499 level with the
Exclusions
The following courses cannot be applied toward minor requirements:
- ANTH-E 422 Native American and Indigenous Media
- ENG-R 339 Freedom of Speech
ANTH-E 422 Native American and Indigenous Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Study of contemporary Native American and global indigenous representation and communication, including oral performance and media. Explores the poetics and politics of media and performance in the context of indigenous histories, cultures, and experiences of colonization. Examines the use of performance forms as symbolic resources in literature, film, the Internet, music and television. Addresses intersections of gender, class and race in indigenous media worlds.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of ANTH-E 422 or CMCL-C 430.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourseSummer 2024CASE SHcourse
ENG-R 339 Freedom of Speech
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- An examination of the concept of freedom of speech as a historical, philosophical, legal, and rhetorical concept.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CMCL-C 339 or ENG-R 339.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourseSummer 2024CASE AHcourse
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (JOURBAJ)
- Bachelor of Arts in Media (MEDIABA)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts (CINEARTBFA)
- Bachelor of Science in Game Design (GAMEDSGNBS)
- Certificate in Journalism (JOURUGACR1)
Exceptions to and substitutions for minor requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.