Unit Activity

The following unit activity has three parts. Complete each part in turn within one Word document, separating each part with its relevant header (Part One, Part Two, Part Three). When all parts are complete, upload this work into the unit drop box as described below.

Part One (40 points)

Find the following two cases online and "brief" each case. Instructions for how to find and brief a case are available under the Lessons tab.

Tinker v. Des Moines School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969)
Bethel School District v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986)

After briefing each case, answer the following questions:

What are the important similarities and differences between the facts in these two cases?
Which differences do the Supreme Court focus on to distinguish the two cases?
Do you agree with the Court’s reasoning? Why or why not?

Part Two (30 points)

Analyze what you think the outcome would be in the following hypothetical case based upon the two precedents you have read in the Tinker case and the Fraset case.

Jane Doe v. Plainview School District

Jane Doe is a 12-year-old student at Plainview Middle School. Jane attended a New Kids on the Block Concert and purchased a t-shirt that said "Drugs Suck!" She wore the shirt to school the next day. Her teacher said the shirt was inappropriate because the word “suck” has a sexual connotation and she sent Jane to the principal’s office. The principal expressed his distaste for the shirt's language and told Jane that she had violated Rule One. Rule One states that a student does not have a right to engage in conduct that will cause a disruption, disturb, or interrupt any school activity. An example of a Rule One violation is the wearing of clothing that distracts other students or that interferes with the classroom participation of other students. When Jane refused to change shirts, the principal suspended her from school for one day.

Jane sued the school district for violation of her First Amendment rights. Jane argues the phrase "Drugs Suck!" has an anti-drug message and is not offensive. The principal and school district argue the word has a sexual connotation and is not appropriate for use by children in middle school. They are also concerned that students would think the school is condoning the use of the word “suck” if Jane is allowed to wear the shirt.

Based on the two precedents you have read in Part One, how would a court decide this case. You should include quotes from the two precedents as appropriate.

Part Three (30 points)

Browse through at least three of the Web sites listed on the Legal Resources page (or other communication law Web sites). For each Web site, answer the following:

Name of organization
What is the organization’s mission or focus?
Find two current issues that the organization is concerned about. For each issue, answer the following questions:
- Summarize the issue.
- Why is the organization concerned?
- Does the issue involve the federal government, state or local government, private businesses, or something else? (Did a town pass an ordinance? A company create a new privacy policy? Did an ISP restrict access to content?
- Is there a current court case or legislative bill related to the issue? If so, what is it?

Please submit this assignment to the drop box named Unit 1 Activity. Do not attach your Word document to the drop box. Instead copy and paste the content from your Word document directly into the drop box. Maintain the Word document for your personal record.

This concludes Unit 1.