Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

One of the main tenets of a democratic society is freedom of speech, including freedom of the press and access to a range of media forms. In the information age the media pervades our lives. As a consequence, the law has imposed a number of checks and balances for the protection of both the rights of individuals and of society as a whole. Inevitably these checks and balances have from time to time come into conflict with freedom of the press. This unit examines the regulation and non-regulation of freedom of speech exercised by the media. In this regard various limitations imposed by the common law, statute and self-regulation will be examined.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide knowledge and understanding in an applied and specialist area of law which will be sufficient to resolve disputes arising in connection with the exercise of freedom of speech by the media and access to the media by the Australian community.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you should have attained the following:

(1) an understanding of the concept of freedom of speech and its importance in a democratic society.


(2) an understanding of the impact of the common law and statute on freedom of the press and the limits on material which may be published.


(3) an understanding of the structure of legislative control imposed on the Australian media, focusing on the regulation of broadcasting services.


(4) an understanding of the matters subject to self regulation by the media.


(5) a basic level of skills in communication, comprehension, organisation, synthesis, and evaluation with a view to developing life long learning skills and practices.

Content

The following topics will be addressed:

• Freedom of speech


• Privacy


• Confidentiality and Journalists' Sources


• Defamation


• Open justice and limits on reporting


• Contempt of court


• Blasphemy and religious vilification


• Obscenity


• Racial vilification


• Regulation of the media


• Broadcast regulation


• Ownership and control of the media

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Learning and teaching in this unit will be by way of an integrated programme of weekly two hour "lectorials", comprising aspects of lectures and tutorials, and the multimedia program The Merlin Affair, which is accessed via the unit on-line teaching site. The approach encourages self-centred learning by reference to dynamic and realistic fact scenarios.

The group discussions, including your lecturer/tutor's comments in relation to answers given, should provide you with0 formative feedback, that is, feedback that is not linked to assessment, on your progress in the unit. At the end of the semester, at your option if you are an internal student, your overall performance may be assessed. This mark is a form of summative feedback that is feedback that is linked to your final grade.

If you are an external student, in addition to undertaking The Merlin Affair, you will be able to listen to the lectorials in the form of streamed audio accessed via the unit's Blackboard site.

Assessment

Assessment is the definitive form of obtaining feedback on your knowledge and understanding of the material in the unit and the degree to which you have met the unit objectives.

Assessment name: Open Justice Exercise
Description: If you are an internal student you will be required to complete this exercise, which is based on and accessed via The Merlin Affair program on the BLACKBOARD site, and bring your completed forms to the nominated class. These forms (which will only be identified by student number) will then be exchanged with another student in the class, who will mark the answers under the specific direction of the lecturer. The answers will form the basis of the class discussion of the particular topic. Answers may then be collected from level 4 reception following the class, with provision for the querying of any mark given if you believe insufficient credit has been given to your answer. In this way, although initially marked by one of your peers, the final assessment is the responsibility of the lecturer.

External students should submit their forms for marking in the normal manner prior to the week 6 class (a specific date will be advised at the beginning of the semester). These forms will be marked by an academic and therefore will not have the same query process.
Relates to objectives: This assessment item is linked to objectives (1), (2), (4) and (5).
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Group Assignment
Description: You will be required to form groups of two (2) or three (3). If you are an external student you may opt to work alone, but may contact the unit co-ordinator by the end of week 2 with a request to be placed in a team in which case (subject to response) the unit co-ordinator will assign you to a group. The mark allocated to the submitted work will be the mark given to both or all members of the group.

In recognition that you may have different learning styles, strengths, and time commitments, we will offer you the choice of assignment type and submission time:

• Option 1
  
  A problem based question, accessed via The Merlin Affair program. Answers should be of 1,500-2,000 words length.
• 
  
  
• Option 2
  
  A report on an article from a recent newspaper or magazine (ie one dated in the current year) or a recent radio or television report which you analyse in terms of the law of defamation. The report should attach a copy of the article/report and be accompanied by an analysis of 1,500-2,000 words length.



• Option 3
  
  A research paper on a topic addressed in the Media Law unit, or a topic concerning media law of your choosing and approved by the Media Law teaching team. Answers should be of 1,500-2,000 words length.

All three assignments will be available at the commencement of semester so that you may make an informed choice between the two options.

Due:
Week 9 (problem based) or
Week 9 (report based) or
Week 12 (research paper)
Relates to objectives: The option 1 assessment item is linked to objectives (1), (2), (4) and (5).
The option 2 assessment item is linked to objectives (1), (2) and (5)
The option 3 assessment item is linked to objectives (1), (2), (3) and (5).
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Group
Due date: See Description

Assessment name: Optional Class Participation
Description: If you are an internal student you will be required at the conclusion of the second week class to nominate whether you wish to have your participation in group discussions assessed as a portion of your overall assessment.

Due to the nature of this item, it is not available to you if you are an external student.
Relates to objectives: This assessment item is linked to objectives (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5).
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Across semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: The end of semester examination will be open book and comprise two or three questions. Both or all questions will be compulsory. All of the material covered during the semester will be examinable.
Relates to objectives: This assessment item is linked to objectives (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5).
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text

Butler and Rodrick, Australian Media Law, 2nd edition, LawBook Co (2004).

Recommended Reference

Mallam, Dawson and Moriarty, Media and Internet Law and Practice (LBC Looseleaf)

Other materials may be made available by posting on the Blackboard site.

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Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 18-May-2012