FIRST AMENDMENT
Explores American constitutional law governing speech, association, the press, and religion. It focuses on the leading First Amendment cases that have created the most expansive protection for expression anywhere in the world. Consider not only the reasons for protecting these rights, but also countervailing interests - such as public safety, national security, and equality - that may justify restrictions on expression. Consider arguments that the U.S. Supreme Court has gone too far in protecting some forms of speech and association, such as false statements, sexually explicit materials, hate speech, and corporate political spending.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Declared in Law JD Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Learn First Amendment doctrine, including freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of the press, and religion. Audience: Graduate 2. Develop the analytic, strategic, and communication skills needed to succeed as lawyers, including applying the law to other contexts, as well as the formulation of logical and rigorous arguments. Audience: Graduate 3. Think critically and creatively about how the law is applied. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Learn First Amendment doctrine, including freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of the press, and religion. Audience: Graduate 2. Develop the analytic, strategic, and communication skills needed to succeed as lawyers, including applying the law to other contexts, as well as the formulation of logical and rigorous arguments. Audience: Graduate 3. Think critically and creatively about how the law is applied. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027