Free Speech and its First Amendment protections have rarely been as controversial and central to public discussion in the United States as they are today. After a brief introduction to free speech as understood before it became enshrined in the Constitution’s First Amendment, we’ll examine and trace its history in the U.S.—legally, politically, philosophically and socially—from 1791 to the present day.
Topics explored will include such longstanding issues as dissent and censorship, flag burning, prior restraint, “fighting words,” and obscenity. More recent controversial matters include hate speech, free-speech zones, trigger warnings, offensiveness, “snowflakes,” online trolling, free speech on campus, regulation of social-media platforms, and whether free speech, traditionally a value fought for by the Left, is now more commonly embraced by the Right.
Fall 2024
“Diplomacy in the Americas” an academically based community service course in which students work with Philadelphia and Norristown public school students to explore solutions to critical problems facing the Americas.
Fall 2024
This course examines the role of science and science communication in democracy through diverse readings, the examination of case studies and discussions with invited journalists, scientists and philosophers. First-year students and those without a background in philosophy are most welcome.