TAKE-HOME FINAL

I apologize for this not being up sooner. I wrote it all out and thought I'd posted it right after class last Wednesday, but apparently I did something wrong because it didn't show up. Sorry. Because of that, you can have extra time to complete it.

Choose one chapter from our textbook that you find especially interesting or meaningful to you. Pick a case you think is important. Look up the court decision. (You may be able to Google it or else try the library. They can help you.) Read it. Read whatever media coverage of the case you can find. Write a paper of 800-1000 words on the significance of the case and why you chose it. What First Amendment theory did the court follow in its decision? On what do you base that? What can you learn from the case? Please use APA style. I expect at least three sources besides the court opinion, which should also be cited and quoted from extensively. Your paper should have a title and subtitle. No need to double-space.

DUE: No later than 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Please e-mail to me as an attachment.

Study Guide: Ch. 16 (Due Dec. 5)

Study Guide for Ch. 16: Telecommunications

Your answers should be in your own words and your total study guide should not exceed 750 words.

1. Describe the foundations of broadcast regulations, including public interest, convenience, and necessity requirements.
2.Describe the deregulatory trend within broadcast and cable television, including the revised media ownership rules.
3.What is the role of the Federal Communications Commission and how does it regulate broadcasting and cable television?
4. What are some of the content regulations that apply to both broadcasters and cable television operators?
5. Describe the FCC's regulation and definition of indecent material.
6. What is the role of the First Amendment as applied to both broadcast and cable television?

Alert! Quiz on S. Ct. Case Dec. 5!!!!

We will be having our last Supreme Court dramatization during our last class period December 5. It's Hustler Magazine v. Falwell. Be prepared for at least one quiz question on the case before the presentation.

Study Guide for Minnesota Rag, by Fred W. Friendly

Due November 28, 6 p.m. (e-mail to instructor)


1. Discuss Jay Near and his newspaper in your own words. Why didn’t the powerful people of Minnesota like him?
2. Discuss how Near v. Minnesota made it to the Supreme Court. What, exactly, was the case about? What was the Court’s decision? On what precedent was it based?
3. Discuss 3-4 things you learned about the First Amendment and Minnesota from this story. (Please post the answer to this question as a comment on the course blog. Do so by the due date.)

The answers to these essay questions should total 600-700 words. You can earn up to 6 points. Also, be prepared for an in-class quiz December 5, which will be worth 4 points.

Study Guide not due until Nov. 19

I apologize for not having the study guide up until this weekend. I simply forgot, and finally someone e-mailed me and reminded me. It seems only fair to give you more time. So. . .it's due Monday, Nov. 19.

ALSO -- PLEASE LIMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO 600-700 WORDS. (THAT MEANS FOR THE ENTIRE STUDY GUIDE FOR EACH CHAPTER.) This doesn't mean you just give less information. It means you have to work harder to tell all relevant information more succinctly.

Study Guide due November 14: Ch. 14 & 15

ALSO -- BE PREPARED FOR QUIZ BASED ON MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS FROM THE BOOK'S WEBSITE

Study Guide for Ch. 14: Copyright

1. Briefly describe the history and purposes of copyright law.
2. Compare and contrast copyrights from trademarks, patents, and plagiarism.
3.What can be copyright protected?
4. What are the exclusive rights of a copyright owner?
5. What are the four prongs of the fair use defense?
6. Briefly describe how copyright law applies to digital technology and peer-to-peer environments like the Internet.
7. Briefly describe the legal limits of online file sharing and what actions may constitute copyright infringement.
8. What are the steps necessary to demonstrate copyright infringement?

Study Guide for Ch. 15: Advertising

1. How and when does the First Amendment protects advertising?
2. What are the main legal components of the commercial speech doctrine?
3. What is the Lanham Act and how does it allow parties to seek damages for false advertising?
4. What are the three parts of the false advertising test?
5. What is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and how does it regulate advertising?
5. Describe the range of remedies the FTC will use to regulate false advertising.
6. What are some of the legal aspects of false advertising, including testimonials and bait-and-switch techniques?

Study Guide for Ch. 13: Pornography (due 11/7)

Study Guide for Ch. 13: Obscenity
1. Give a brief description of the historical efforts and different measures used to combat obscenity.
2. Explain the three prongs of the Miller test and how they are applied to pornography.
3. Explain what is meant by variable obscenity statutes.
4. Briefly describe laws applying to the creation, possession, and distribution of child pornography.
5. How does the First Amendment protect the rights of adults to receive certain degrees of pornography and erotica?
6. What are the purposes and limitations of the local zoning ordinances used to combat pornography?
7. Briefly describe the challenges surrounding legal efforts to regulate sexually explicit material in cyberspace.