SCOPE AND EMPHASIS:  This is a course about law as it applies to journalism, including an in-depth examination of the First Amendment Speech and Press clauses, selected torts, and newsgathering issues.

REQUIREMENTS:  (1)  Students should read all of the principal cases in the casebook, according to the above schedule, and should be prepared to recite oral briefs and answer questions in class.  As time permits, students should endeavor to read the textual material and attached supplement, although the instructor will cover most of the important information by lecture.  (2)  Students should check the course TWEN page periodically for announcements and other information posted by the instructor or by other students.  (3)  Students will take a traditional, in-class, closed-book final examination consisting of three essay questions, each weighted equally.  The questions will be based on issues raised in the casebook and/or supplement and/or class discussion.

ATTENDANCE:  The ABA and Widener University policy is that students must attend at least 11.2 classes without exception.  No excuses can be accepted for failing to meet this residency requirement.  Anyone who misses 2.9 or more classes will receive a course grade of "W"; the instructor will endeavor, but does not guarantee, to notify students who are approaching this limit.  Arriving late or leaving early is counted as a partial absence.  A student who misses the roll call at the beginning of class is irrebuttably presumed to be absent unless he/she makes his/her presence known to the instructor immediately after class.

COMMUNICATION:  Students are encouraged to contact the instructor at any time, either privately via email or phone, or publicly via the TWEN bulletin board for the course.  Individual meetings can be arranged on campus or at the Capitol.

GRADING:  The course grade will be determined by the grade received on the final examination, which may be raised or lowered by one grade (e.g., from B+ to A-, or from C to C-) on the basis of the student's class participation.  The instructor will be available over the summer to review the final exams with any student who is interested and to suggest means for improvement in writing successful essay answers.

Associated Press v. United States (1945)

Kansas City Star Co. v. United States (1957)

Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. Federal Communications Commission (1969)*

Columbia Broadcasting System v. Democratic National Committee (1973)

Miami Herald Publishing Co. v. Tornillo (1974)

Virginia State Board of Pharmacy v. Virginia Citizens Consumer Council (1976)

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Co. v. Public Service Commission (1983)

Muir v. Alabama Educational Television Commission (1983)*

Syracuse Peace Council v. Federal Communications Commission (1990)

Grosjean v. American Press Co. (1936)

American Communications Association v. Douds (1950)

*Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. Federal Communications Commission (1969)

Snepp v. United States (1980)

*Muir v. Alabama Educational Television Commission (1983)

Minneapolis Star & Tribune Co. v. Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue (1983)

Federal Communications Commission v. League of Women Voters of California (1984)

Arkansas Writers' Project v. Ragland (1987)

Leathers v. Medlock (1991)

Rust v. Sullivan (1991)

Waters v. Churchill (1994)

Rosenberger v. Regents and Visitors of the University of Virginia (1995)

Can you think of any other cases that should be included on either list?

Life After Law School:  Aim High!