The Communication Law & Policy track focuses on the dynamics of policy-making, legislation and regulation of communication processes and communication industries in both domestic and international contexts, and on the role of communication technology in the democratic process. It is particularly valuable for individuals with career interests in corporate, communication, international copyright, intellectual property, and entertainment law and policy; state and federal policy-making; or social and political research on the global information economy. It is also valuable for individuals pursuing the joint
M.C.M. / J.D. degree.
Courses in the Communication Law & Policy track include:
CMGT 530—Social Dynamics on Communication Technologies (4, SpSm)Impact of television, satellites, computers and other new technologies; competing theories about the role of technology in society; historical effects of introducing new technologies.
CMGT 557—Communication Policy in the Global Marketplace (4, Fa)Comparative analysis of various countries' communication and information technology policies; examines developments in telecommunications, broadcasting and entertainment industries and policy questions for global media marketplace.
CMGT 560—Communications Policy (4, FaSm)Evolving regulation of telephone, radio, television, cable, print and other media. Major policy-makers and decision points in policy-making at local, state, national and international levels.
CMGT 565—Communication Law and Broadcasting (4, FaSp)History and present status of broadcast regulations; emphases on First Amendment, character of regulatory agencies, impact of court decisions and influence of technological advances.
CMGT 566—Communication Law and New Technologies (4, Sp)Development of law in newer technologies. Cases include cable television, low power television, direct broadcast satellites, teletext, video cassettes, telephone, data networks and computer regulation.
CMGT 570—Economics of the Communication Industries (4, Fa)The economic forces that determine the structure and outputs of communication and media industries, including newspapers, broadcasting, cable and telecommunications.
CMGT 571—Communications Technologies (4, FaSp)Basic technological concepts necessary to understand the workings of modern communications products and services, to include frequency, bandwidth, electricity, modulation and digital conversion.
Additional cognate courses are offered through the USC Gould School of Law (admitted M.C.M. / J.D. students only), the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development and the USC School of International Relations.