Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Shakin

J.D. Course 1140 (cross-listed) | 2 credit hours

The advent of the Internet has spawned massive leaps in technology and the way Americans use communication services to reach that technology. Cell phones have moved from cumbersome devices used by a few for a limited purpose, to mobile computers that outnumber potential users. The Internet has become the source of government services, education and health care; and its role in people’s lives is still increasing. This course will explore law and government policy as it tries to keep up with these changes. Students will explore the evolution of “universal service” support from a small program intended to support a single provider to provide telephone service to remote areas that are costly to serve, to a multi-faceted program that collects billions of dollars independent of taxing authority, and distributes them in efforts to bring the benefits of new technology to all citizens.

Since many of the policy debates concerning the government’s role in supporting access to mobile and fixed broadband services are being debated today, students will have the opportunity not only to explore and discuss these debates, but to make their own proposals for reform. In small teams, students will use what they learn in this course to present a reform proposal that will improve an existing program, create a new program, or pare back a program that doesn’t make sense. Just as the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and Congress are constrained to explain where the funding for new expenditures will come from, students will be required to explain how they plan to fund any new program, and in particular, what programs will be cut or fees raised to create funding for any new programs.

Recommended: An introductory course in telecommunications policy may be useful, but is not required.