Calvert, Clay et al (2023). Mass Media Law (22nd Edition), NY: McGraw-Hill.

Sochay, Scott (2011). Mass Communications Law, BarCharts, Inc.

Based on guidance from Bethel University, if you experience specific COVID-19 symptoms, you should notify me, not attend class in person, and get tested no matter your vaccination status. 


If you need to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 exposure or illness, I will work with you to continue your learning when you are well enough to do so. How you continue to learn may be different in this class than it is in your other classes.


Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, has tested positive for COVID-19, or is unvaccinated and has been in close contact (within six feet for 15 minutes or more throughout a 24-hour period—with or without a mask) with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, should call the COVID-19 Hotline at 651.635.8500.

Zoom will only be for students who quarantine/isolate due to COVID-19. Zoom will not be available for any other circumstances unless approved.

Grading and Expectations:

Participation is important and is part of your grade. Students are expected to have read the required chapters for each class session and be prepared to discuss its contents. A lack of preparation not only hurts your grade it also takes away from the quality of the in-class discussion and makes the learning experience less enjoyable for your classmates. Attendance is also a part of your participation grade. Excessive absences and/or tardiness will be reflected in that generally, three or more unexcused absences will result in a minimum one grade lower participation grade. The University policy on attendance can be found in the Bethel catalog.

Projects are due at the beginning of the class period noted in the course outline. Late projects or missed exams will not be accepted without a legitimate excuse such as medical illness or emergency. If you have a situation that may present difficulties in turning a project in on time or making an exam date the proper procedure is to discuss this with me before the due date. I'm flexible and understanding when students talk with me before an assignment or exam is due. I'm much less flexible if a student tries to explain their situation after the due date has passed. In short, if you think you're going to have a problem turning in an assignment on time, talk with me before the due date. The same also applies to attendance. Excused absences are at my discretion. I am far more likely to grant them when students let me know ahead of time (when possible) or contact me as soon as possible after the missed class.

Any/all assignments should be submitted in hard copy form. Any exceptions to this will be announced in class.

Student work will be evaluated according to the guidelines laid out in the Bethel University catalog. To receive an "A," work should be "exceptional". "B" work is considered "good," and "C" "work "satisfactory" and so on. If you have any questions about assignments, ask! If there are concerns about grading, the Complaint and Appeals Procedure can be found at: http://cas.bethel.edu/academics/catalog/.

Violation of honesty standards can result in denial or credit (U or F) in a course, as well as dismissal from the university. Penalties are given at the discretion of the faculty member, and offenders may be referred to the vice president and dean. (See Bethel University’s full policy on Academic Honesty in the catalog: (http://catalog.bethel.edu/arts-sciences/general-information/academic-honesty/).

The student will seek to resolve the matter first with the instructor or with the party directly responsible for the decision, and then with the department chair. (If the instructor is the department chair, the student should contact the Dean of Academic Programs.) If after talking with the instructor and the department chair the matter is not resolved, the student may appeal in writing to the Dean of Academic Programs. This written appeal must be received within three weeks of the decision. (See Bethel University’s full policy on Academic Appeals in the catalog: http://catalog.bethel.edu/arts-sciences/general-information/academic-appeals/).

Accessibility Statement:

Bethel University is committed to accessibility for students with disabilities and the Office of Accessibility Resources & Services (OARS) is a resource to ensure students experience access. Reasonable accommodations are approved after an interactive process with the student and OARS. The instructor will provide accommodations, but the student is required to initiate the process.

• Students with a documented disability may contact OARS to learn more about how to register for accommodations. Reasonable accommodations are approved after an interactive process with the student and OARS.
• Students registered with OARS are responsible for logging in to their AIM Accessibility Accommodation portal (via MyBethel) each term to request their Faculty Notification Letter of Accommodations. Accommodations cannot be applied prior to the faculty’s receipt of the letter.
• OARS recommends the student and faculty discuss how accommodations may apply in the specific course. Accommodations cannot modify essential requirements or fundamentally alter the nature of the course. Consultation with OARS may be necessary to clarify reasonable accommodations based on the course. If there are any questions or concerns, connect with OARS at accessibility-serivces@bethel.edu or 651.638.6833.

Support for Multilingual Learners Statement:

• If you are a multilingual student and believe you would benefit from support for this course, please see your instructor. Possible supports include access to lecture notes, additional time for completing assignments and/or tests, vocabulary lists, use of translation dictionaries, additional time for writing assignments. 
• When you notify your instructor, s/he may refer you to the AESC office (HC324) so that you can meet with an academic counselor. The academic counselor will help determine the supports that could contribute to your success in the course and will notify your instructor to suggest these supports be made available to you. 
• In addition to specific supports for this course, one-on-one writing support is available for multilingual students. Stop by HC324 or schedule an appointment for "Multilingual Support" at https://www.bethel.edu/undergrad/academics/support/writing. More information on multilingual support is available at https://www.bethel.edu/undergrad/academics/support/multilingual.

Lecture Notes

Justices of the Supreme Court

Case Briefs

Chapter 1 notes

Chapter 2 notes

Chapter 3 notes

Chapter 4-6 notes

Chapter 7-8 notes

Chapter 9 notes

Chapter 10 notes

Chapter 11-12 notes

Chapter 13 notes

Chapter 14 notes

Chapter 15 notes

Chapter 16 notes

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