Communication Ethics and Law.

Catalog description

Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: MASC 101 with a minimum grade of C. An exploration of contemporary legal and ethical issues in mass communication. The course integrates communication law, ethical reasoning and cultural awareness to help students navigate the complex responsibilities of media professionals. Students examine how historical, cultural and structural inequities shape representation in media and evaluate the consequences of communication decisions for diverse publics. Emphasis is placed on developing ethical and civic judgment through case studies, professional scenarios and/or project-based learning. Topics include freedom of expression, privacy, intellectual property, media accountability, representation and harm, and ethical decision-making across digital and emerging media environments.