Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Legal Issues in the Arts (Online)

AA 6110-B70

Course: AA 6110-B70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30012

Course Description

Students will gain an understanding of essential legislation and legal issues pertaining to professional arts and culture management. Healthcare, contract law, privacy, discrimination, intellectual and cultural property rights, and copyright law will all be discussed through readings, case studies, and critical analysis. (Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Arts Administration students only

Required Texts

Legal Issues for Arts Organizations, A Practical Guide, by Kristi W. Arth
Routledge Publishing, 2024

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Demonstrate a competency with legal terminology regarding arts administration and issues that have particular relevance to the arts
  • Evaluate business situations to identify legal matters that typically affect these situations 
  • Be provided with the tools necessary to examine and understand critical legal issues as related to the management of arts organizations. 
  • Gain specific understanding of the management of Human Resources as it relates to arts organizations. 
  • Become empowered advocates for the arts through critical analysis of legal cases in the Final Paper.

Course Requirements


Class work is broken down into three areas that relate back to the course Learning Outcomes: Contribution, Case Studies, and an HR/Legal Issues Draft and Report. All assignments and readings are expected to be completed by the due date/time listed on Canvas. For written assignments, ten percent [10%] maybe deducted for each 24-hour period past the deadline. In the event of an emergency, students are required to obtain approval for a deadline extension before the due date of the assignment.


Contribution [50%]


Students are expected to come to class prepared and to actively contribute to discussions. This should be an organic, collaborative, and insightful process. Remember, contribution is not necessarily about having the right answers; it allows for critical thinking, trying out new ideas and positions, and helping others consider all sides of an issue. Divergent beliefs and world-views may be shared; respect for those differences is to be maintained. Students are expected to use appropriate terms and language within all discussions and work. Participation and discussion is the primary method of engagement in this course. If you are unable to attend (in person or virtually) you will need to complete a writing assignment to make up for the absence.  [LO 1-5]


Case Studies [30%]


Students are required to read and discuss the weekly case study article. Discussion points will be given like contribution points listed above. [LO 1-5]


Final Paper [20%]


The purpose of this HR/Legal Issues report is to provide students the opportunity to focus on key legal issues affecting management of human resources in the arts. Students will review academic and popular press to identify these issues, including issues that have been troubling for arts organizations in the past, and issues that may have an impact on arts organizations in the future. This should include a review of relevant case law, research on current legislation, and proposals and recommendations to respond to these issues in the future. The paper should be 8-10 pages, double-spaced and include a works cited page with at least five citations using primary and secondary sources. [LO 4]

Course Outline

Week 1: Overview of US Legal System
Week 2: Freedom of Speech 
Week 3: Censorship
Week 4: Freedom of Expression and Art
Week 5: Cultural Property and Cultural Policy: Domestic
Week 6: Cultural Property and Policy: International
Week 7-9: Legal Issues for Arts Organizations: The Relationship Triangle
Week 10-12: Legal Issues for Arts Organizations: The Deal Triangle
Week 13: Working with Lawyers
Week 14: Contracts, Case Studies
Week 15: Finals Week: Final Paper Due

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments and readings are expected to be completed by the due date/time listed on Canvas. Students earn credit by completing the assignments in the same time frame given every other student in the class.

  • Contribution: Since the contribution grade is based on conversing with your fellow students, full points cannot be made up when absent. Students can make up some of the missed points, but must make arrangements for such with the instructor.
  • Assignments: For written assignments turned in to the instructor, ten percent (10%) will be deducted for each 24-hour period past the deadline. This means that no assignment will be eligible for points if it is more than ten (10) days beyond the due date.
In the event of circumstances preventing a student from completing an assignment on time, the student should let the Instructor know before the due date, obtaining approval for a deadline extension. Such extensions are up to the discretion of the instructor. 



Attendance Policy

Students are expected to come to class prepared and to actively contribute to discussions. This means students are taking an active role in the course: engaging in the conversation and being respectful of the other students and the instructor.


ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.