Research Guides: JOUR 4316: Communication Law: Exploring Topics

Exploring Topics

While you should be using scholarly sources in your papers themselves, this page has some great places to get started. You can use these pages to do things like:

Find a topic
Do some preliminary reading to get a better general understanding of your topic
Find search terms that you can then use in our databases to find books and scholarly articles on different areas of your topic

CQ Researcher
This database has articles that cover the major issues in government, current affairs, public policy and more. This is a great place to start to get a sense of all the issues surrounding your topic. Use broader search terms, like freedom of information or First Amendment.

Mass Communication Law in a Nutshell by T. Carter; Juliet Lushbough Dee; Harvey L. Zuckman
Call Number: Underwood KF2750 .M37 1994

Publication Date: 2014-08-27
The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication (Fifth Edition) by Robert Trager; Susan Dente Ross (Editor); Amy Reynolds (Editor)
Call Number: Fondren Library KF2750 .T73 2016

Publication Date: 2015-11-02
We're All Journalists Now by Scott Gant
Call Number: Underwood Law Library KF2750 .G36 2007

ISBN: 9780743299268

Publication Date: 2007-06-12
Privileging the Press by Jason M. Shepard
Call Number: Underwood KF8959.P7 S52 2011

Publication Date: 2011-08-01

Internet Resources

FIRE First Amendment Library
This is a great resource on the many components of the First Amendment. If you click on one of the Amendment's five freedom's (e.g. Freedom of Speech), it will bring up a list of topics. You can then browse relevant cases under each
Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas
Relevant to your papers, the page has a blog which discusses current issues journalists are facing, which can help you find topics.
First Amendment Watch
This site highlights threats to the freedom of expression as they arise and provide continuing updates as news develops. This is a great source for finding recent news regarding the first amendment.
Reporters Committee - Media Law Topics
Find links to news, cases, and more.
Reporters Committee - First Amendment Handbook
Find out about the laws the affect reporting, like privacy, libel, freedom of information, and more.
Constitution Annotated
A browseable and searchable U.S. Constitution, with an overview of how it has been interpreted over time and discussions of the Supreme Court’s latest opinions.