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
The course focuses on justice-involved veterans who are at the nexus of two of the United States largest, most powerful, and well-funded institutions—the criminal justice system and the military. The curriculum explores the U.S. military, the criminal justice system, race, health, violence, poverty, U.S. policy, trauma, and masculinity.
Fall 2024
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how decisions and policy are really made in Washington. Weekly travel to Washington D.C. required.