Mass Media Law examines copyright, defamation, privacy, and freedom of speech — no previous study of law required.
What COMM 400 covers
(No previous study of law required. Fulfills the general education requirement in communications but is not a writing course.) Prerequisite: WRTG 112. An examination of important legal issues that affect mass media and communications professionals.
The objective is to analyze mass media law, its evolution, and its relationship with society, culture, and politics. Topics include copyright, intellectual property, fair use, defamation, privacy, freedom of information, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, as well as issues raised by the growth of the internet. Discussion also covers ethics in mass media, digital technologies, and the creation of media content.
Typical COMM 400 assignments
Expect an assignment requiring you to analyze a specific mass media legal issue (such as defamation or fair use) and its relationship to society, culture, or politics.
Key topics in COMM 400
- Copyright, fair use, and intellectual property
- Defamation and privacy law
- Freedom of speech and press
- Internet-era mass media legal issues
Writing tips for COMM 400
Follow the assignment instructions and rubric line by line
UMGC assignments for COMM 400 are graded against a specific rubric or grading criteria your instructor provides — every requirement has to be visibly addressed. Skipping a requirement because it seems minor is one of the most common reasons a strong submission loses points.
Apply a named communication theory or framework, not a general observation
COMM 400 expects you to name and apply a specific communication theory or framework to your example — a general observation about media or communication that doesn't tie back to the course's own vocabulary usually loses points.
Ground claims in specific, current examples, not general media impressions
UMGC's Communication Studies courses consistently grade whether claims are grounded in specific, current, and cited examples — a real news story, campaign, or platform feature — rather than broad generalizations about "the media."
Stuck on your COMM 400 assignment?
Our writers know UMGC's course structure and this class's typical assignments. Get an original, properly cited paper matched to your syllabus and rubric.
Why students seek help with COMM 400
Students sometimes discuss a media law topic generically without analyzing its specific relationship to society, culture, or politics, which COMM 400 requires — the rubric typically wants that contextual relationship shown, not a legal definition alone.
How GradeEssays helps with COMM 400
Share your COMM 400 assignment and rubric, and your writer will help you build the required societal/cultural/political analysis of your media law topic.
Get Help With COMM 400
Share your assignment instructions and rubric and we match you with a writer who knows this course and UMGC's grading standards.
Place Your Order View All ServicesPrerequisites and course context
COMM 400 requires WRTG 112 (Academic Writing II); no previous study of law is required. Note: students may receive credit for only one of COMM 400 or JOUR 400.
Related courses
Frequently asked questions
No — no previous study of law is required. The course is designed for communications professionals without a legal background.
Students may receive credit for only one of COMM 400 or JOUR 400, since they cover the same content.