771 Defamation and Invasion of Privacy
This seminar explores the intricate balance between free speech doctrine and the protection of reputation and personal privacy in the era of modern communications. Through case law, legal theory, and policy discussions, students will examine the evolution of defamation and privacy law in the aftermath of landmark First Amendment rulings. The course will address emerging challenges posed by social media and artificial intelligence and briefly discuss alternative legal regimes for protecting reputation and privacy. Ideal for students interested in media law or the First Amendment; serves as a pre- or co-requisite for the First Amendment Clinic.
Course Areas of Practice |
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Evaluation Methods |
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Degree Requirements |
JD SRWP with add-on credit
JD elective
IntlLLM-SJD-EXC elective
IntlLLM writing
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Course Type |
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Learning Outcomes |
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Sample Syllabi |
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Fall 2025
Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
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771.01 | 2 |
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Sarah H. Ludington | ||
This seminar explores the intricate balance between free speech doctrine and the protection of reputation and personal privacy in the era of modern communications. Through case law, legal theory, and policy discussions, students will examine the evolution of defamation and privacy law in the aftermath of landmark First Amendment rulings. The course will address emerging challenges posed by social media and artificial intelligence and briefly discuss alternative legal regimes for protecting reputation and privacy. Ideal for students interested in media law or the First Amendment; serves as a pre- or co-requisite for the First Amendment Clinic.
Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
Fall 2024
Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
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771.01 | 3 |
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H. Jefferson Powell | ||
American law attempts to protect individual interests in personal dignity and to guarantee a robust system of free expression. Both concerns are implemented, in part, through the common law of dignitary torts, and US constitutional law addresses their overlap and potential conflict. This course will cover the torts of defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional harm, and the related constitutional doctrines that the Supreme Court has developed since 1964.
Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
Fall 2022
Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
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771.01 | 3 |
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H. Jefferson Powell | ||
American law attempts to protect individual interests in personal dignity and to guarantee a robust system of free expression. Both concerns are implemented, in part, through the common law of dignitary torts, and US constitutional law addresses their overlap and potential conflict. This course will cover the torts of defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional harm, and the related constitutional doctrines that the Supreme Court has developed since 1964. Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
Fall 2021
Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
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771.01 | 3 |
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H. Jefferson Powell | ||
American law attempts to protect individual interests in personal dignity and to guarantee a robust system of free expression. Both concerns are implemented, in part, through the common law of dignitary torts, and US constitutional law addresses their overlap and potential conflict. This course will cover the torts of defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional harm, and the related constitutional doctrines that the Supreme Court has developed since 1964. Syllabus: 771.01.Fall2021-syllabus.docx20.18 KB Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
Fall 2017
Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
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771.01 | 3 |
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H. Jefferson Powell | ||
American law attempts to protect individual interests in personal dignity and to guarantee a robust system of free expression. Both concerns are implemented, in part, through the common law of dignitary torts, and US constitutional law addresses their overlap and potential conflict. This course will cover the torts of defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional harm, and the related constitutional doctrines that the Supreme Court has developed since 1964. Pre/Co-requisitesNone |
Fall 2016
Course Number | Course Credits | Evaluation Method | Instructor | ||
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771.01 | 3 |
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H. Jefferson Powell | ||
American law attempts to protect individual interests in personal dignity and to guarantee a robust system of free expression. Both concerns are implemented, in part, through the common law of dignitary torts, and US constitutional law addresses their overlap and potential conflict. This course will cover the torts of defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional harm, and the related constitutional doctrines that the Supreme Court has developed since 1964. J. Powell Degree RequirementsNonePre/Co-requisitesNone |