First Amendment Rights

Fall 2021 (Online) (2 credits)
Class Meetings: Thursday 6-7:50 p.m.

LAW 716: COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is a basic introduction to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, focusing on freedom of expression. Topics to be studied include the special problems of particular kinds of speech, such as advocacy of violence as a political tool for change, libel, obscenity, hate speech, commercial speech, and symbolic speech, for example flag burning. The course will also address specific techniques employed by the government to regulate speech including prior restraints, time, place, and manner regulations, limits on access to public property to exercise free speech rights, and compelled expression. If time allows, the course may also address the two religion clauses of the First Amendment. (Credits may be applied toward Public Interest Practice concentration.)

Required Reading Materials:

Students are not required to purchase any reading materials for this course. Students are, however, required to print out the pages so it is easy to write marginal notes and underline key passages in preparing for class as well as to more effectively participate in class discussions. Reading materials consisting of edited cases and explanatory material will be provided by the instructor in the form of a series of PDFs divided into chapters. Links to the chapters can be found on the syllabus. A link to the syllabus is below.

Syllabus

Questions Before Class:

For each class, there are questions for you to try and answer in advance of class to help with your class preparation. Your answers will not be collected and do not need to be in writing.

Classroom Materials:

Materials prepared to use during class discussions will remain posted throughout the semester.

Exam Preparation Materials:

These materials include sample questions, answers, grading sheets and substantive materials related to particular issues studied during the course.