Model curricula for journalism education for developing countries ...

127
Week 15
Seminar: Presentations of the long paper. Conclusions
Contributed by Rosental Calmon Alves,Knight Chair in Journalism & UNESCO
Chair in Communication, University of Texas at Austin
Media Law
Level of course: First year in three-year bachelor’s degree, second year in four-year
degree.
Course description
This course considers the laws that affect journalists and the media. It introduces
students to the national justice system, including the court structure; examines
the democratic principles of freedom of expression, freedom of the media and
transparency; and looks at regulatory mechanisms for the media and the various
laws and international instruments that limit or enable journalists’ freedom of
expression.
Mode: A combination of lectures and seminars.
Pedagogical approach
In order to integrate theory and practice and to illuminate difficult legal concepts, a
case study approach should be followed as far as possible. Teachers should collect
appropriate case studies from their own countries to illustrate the operation of legal
principles in particular cases. Seminars, led by staff or graduate students, give
students an opportunity for in-depth discussion. For the seminars, students should
be asked to prepare written presentations which should be graded.
Number of hours per week
Lectures and seminars: 4 hours. Reading, preparation and assignments: 6 hours.
Number of weeks: 15
Required and recommended texts
Note: because legal systems differ from country to country, a list of texts can only
suggest some general readings on particular topics. For readings on the particulars
of the law in any country, teachers will have to find country-specific readings. The
website of Article 19 (http://www.article19.org/publications/global-issues/index.