Choose an incident from the past five years that deals with freedom of expression. This incident could be from within the United States, though does not necessarily have to be so. This incident could be from the realm of journalism, public relations, advertising, or entertainment.
Note: The Brandi Levy Supreme Court case (involving a cheerleader who posted vulgarity on Snapchat) is not an acceptable topic. You must select something other than this topic.
Your final paper must be at least 750 words, though not more than 1,000 words (excluding references). This is approximately three – four pages of writing, double spaced. Your final paper must be submitted double spaced.
Serious points will be deducted if you vary from these parameters by more than 10%. Your final submission should be double spaced.
Within this paper, you should spend more time analyzing the event, and relating it to topics in JMS 494, and less time simply summarizing the event. This is not a “news story” about the event, but an academic analysis.
Sources (minimum of 3). You can use any citation or reference style you like, as long as you are consistent. Following the essay, list the references that you used. DO NOT SIMPLY LIST URLS. Write out the citation clearly, so that someone else could find your source if they wanted to do so. (Note: web links sometimes disappear over time!)
These references do not have to be from peer-reviewed, academic sources (as may be required in other classes), but these references should be the most definitive, reliable sources of information that you can find about your particular incident. You are free to cite newspaper or online news articles, if they are from reputable media outlets.
These references do not count towards the total word count of the essay.
Within your paper, you must address the following points:
1. Explain the event, including who, what, where and when;
2. Describe how freedom of speech/expression or freedom of the press apply;
3. Explain how the courts applied principles of freedom of speech/expression or freedom of the press in this particular case. Alternatively, you can argue as to how you think the courts should apply the law in this particular case, or how they should have applied the laws. If choosing an example from another country, how does this country regulate freedom expression differently than the US?
4. Pay attention to good writing, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, organization, brevity and details.
