Film Media Theater 330CA - Advanced Courses in History and Theory: 'Cases in Media Law'

What's the deal with the "TikTok ban"? Why does it matter whether or not "The Pitt" is a spinoff of "ER"? In this class, we look closely at a series of case studies in the history of media regulation and legislation, including the Paramount Decrees of 1948 that banned Hollywood studios from owning their own theaters; Supreme Court cases around journalistic freedom of expression; the PATRIOT Act which enabled a vast surveillance infrastructure; the recent antitrust case against Google; and recent cases around intellectual property. Along the way we study how these legislative and legal decisions shape the media we consume and how we consume them.

Prereq: 8 credits in Film Media Theater or 8 credits in Politics. Students with a declared Nexus in Law, Public Policy, and Human Rights should contact the instructor for permission.