Lesson 1: Introduction to the Course and the American Legal System

Readings	Lesson 1 pages Watch Crash Course Government videos 18, 19, 20 Optional: Listen to More Perfect podcast episode The Political Thicket Reprise
Assignments	Post a class introduction in the discussion board Practice using Canvas messages by sending your instructor a message Exploring State and Federal Courts review quiz

 

Lesson 2: First Amendment Protections

Readings	Lesson 2 pages Listen to The Right to Free Speech podcast episode from Throughline. Watch the First Amendment: Student Freedom of Speech video from Annenberg Classroom. Optional: Watch Freedom of Speech: Crash Course Government and Politics to review key topics from this lesson.
Assignments	Testing the First Amendment review quiz Lesson 2 Legal Memo: First Amendment Protections in School

 

Lesson 3: Safeguarding Reputation: Law of Defamation

Readings	Lesson 3 pages Watch First Amendment: New York Times v. Sullivan from Annenberg Classroom Watch a video summary of Hustler v. Falwell
Assignments	Defamation Case Brief Defamation Case Reflection

 

Lesson 4: Privacy

Readings	Lesson 4 pages Watch the NOVA episode Secrets in Your Data
Assignments	Secrets in Your Data exercise and essay

 

Lesson 5:  Unprotected Speech: Obscenity and Indecency

Readings	Lesson 5 pages
Assignments	Obscenity Laws and Indecency Regulations review quiz Video Game Law Analysis essay

 

Lesson 6: Free Press/Fair Trials

Readings	Lesson 6 pages Watch the videos exploring FOIA protections Watch Freedom of the Press: New York Times v. United States from Annenberg Classroom Watch Crash Course Government #26 and #28
Assignments	From Pentagon Papers to Watergate: Restricting a Free Press Watch either The Post (2017) or All the President’s Men (1976) (All the President’s Men is available through Swank.) Reporters in the Courtroom

 

Lesson 7: Midterm Exam

Readings	None
Assignments	Midterm Exam

 

Lesson 8: Intellectual Property and Copyright Law

Readings	Lesson 8 pages Listen to Andy Warhol and the Art of Judging Art podcast episode or read Bad Art Friend
Assignments	Examining Copyright Law in Art assignment and reflection

 

Lesson 9: Broadcast Media Regulations

Readings	Lesson 9 pages Listen to Protecting Public Interest: The Role of Regulation in Media podcast episode
Assignments	Broadcast Regulation Brief Broadcast Regulation and Public Interest reflection

 

Lesson 10: Commercial Speech & Advertising Regulations 

Readings	Lesson 10 pages Watch Crash Course Media Literacy #6 and #7
Assignments	Endorsement and Puffery Exercise Central Hudson Test Exercise

 

Lesson 11: Free Speech in Emerging Digital Spaces

Readings	Lesson 11 pages Watch videos discussing Section 230
Assignments	Emerging Technology Law Brief Emerging Technology Policy Memo

 

Lesson 12: Final Exam

Readings	None
Assignments	Final Exam