It will maintain a specific focus on how new tech and constitutional rights interact. Many examples will come from the US context, but the focus will be global, not exclusively America. Relevant US Supreme Court cases related to media law, as well as international law treaties and leading scholars’ articles, will play roles in enhancing students’ opportunities for analysis.

In terms of content, the course will be divided into four main sections: background on basic ideas of freedom of the press, drawing from the US context but with a broader scope. Second, in-depth media law issues including net neutrality, content regulation, copyright, etc. Third will be a detailed investigation, including practical, business-oriented examples, of intellectual property law and its impact and influence. Finally, the course will conclude by looking at the future: artificial intelligence, environmental threats and opportunities, humans’ role in an increasingly technological world, etc.

In this course, student work and assignments will not be limited to exclusively heavy reading of hundreds of pages of cases, translation of arcane and difficult passages, etc. The goal will be broad-based comprehension as well as cultivation of ability to think, discuss, and write critically about these important issues. The focus, of both readings as well as student writing, will be quality, not quantity. The teaching style of this course will: A) Be student-centered B) Comprehensive, and C) Ask why and how, not only what the law is. Students will need to speak and work in groups much more than potentially experienced in some other courses. And, as mentioned above in Evaluation, the semester grade will be determined by a midterm and final examination, as well as in-class participation and assignment work.

Course content:
Weeks 1-4: Freedoms of speech, assembly, and the press, focus on US constitutional law and broader related issues

Weeks 5-8: Technical aspects of media law including content regulation, copyright, media law as a busin