(Graduate students register for COMM 216. COMM 116 is offered for 5 units; COMM 216 is offered for 4 units.) Laws and regulation impacting journalists. Topics include libel, privacy, news gathering, protection sources, fair trial and free press, theories of the First Amendment, and broadcast regulation. Prerequisite: Journalism M.A. student or advanced Communication major. Email instructor for permission to enroll. Preference for enrollment will be: Communication majors and co-terms, then seniors from other disciplines. Total enrollment in COMM 116/COMM 216 combined will be limited to COMM 20. Students pursuing a degree from the COMM department as an undergraduate or Masters student must take C116/COMM 216 and for a letter grade. All other students taking the class as an elective may also elect to take the class on either a grade or S/NC basis.
4-5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
(Graduate students register for 216. COMM 116 is offered for 5 units; COMM 216 is offered for 4 units.) Laws and regulation impacting journalists. Topics include libel, privacy, news gathering, protection sources, fair trial and free press, theories of the First Amendment, and broadcast regulation. Prerequisite: Journalism M.A. student or advanced Communication major. Email instructor for permission to enroll. Preference for enrollment will be: Communication majors and co-terms, then seniors from other disciplines. Total enrollment in COMM 116/216 combined will be limited to 20. Students pursuing a degree from the COMM department as an undergraduate or Masters student must take C116/216 and for a letter grade. All other students taking the class as an elective may also elect to take the class on either a grade or S/NC basis.
Offered in Winter 2026 at Stanford University.