This course offers an in-depth examination of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, focusing on its two core protections: freedom of expression (speech, press, assembly, and petition) and freedom of religion (free exercise and establishment). Students will engage with leading Supreme Court cases and constitutional doctrines that define the boundaries of speech and religious liberty in the American legal system.
The course traces the historical, philosophical, and doctrinal evolution of First Amendment jurisprudence and explores how courts have addressed the tension between individual liberties and societal interests, including national security, public order, equality, and morality. Students will learn to analyze constitutional arguments, interpret complex case law, and evaluate real-world controversies involving protest, hate speech, press freedom, religious accommodations, and government establishment of religion.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Understand and apply the major constitutional doctrines governing freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition, and religion.
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Analyze and critique Supreme Court decisions interpreting the First Amendment.
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Distinguish between protected and unprotected categories of speech and evaluate government justifications for regulation.
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Interpret free exercise and establishment clause jurisprudence and its shifting standards over time.
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Assess First Amendment protections in the context of modern societal challenges, including technology, media, and pluralism.
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Anticipate legal and policy implications in both litigation and public discourse involving First Amendment claims.
