Maximizing Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom at Duke

1 credits · Undergraduate

This course provides opportunities for students to both engage in open dialogue on controversial topics while learning about the history of academic freedom and freedom of speech on college campuses. Topics covered include: self-censorship, student sorting, doxxing, the role of protest on campus, safe spaces, the tradeoffs of dedicated free expression spaces, the impact of faculty political views on the openness of student debate, and how the freedom of assembly intersects with freedom of speech to govern student groups on campus, especially those based on identity: religion, race, sex and gender. The course reviews how the modern understanding of academic freedom developed in the 20th Century alongside First Amendment jurisprudence, with a focus on key agreements.