First Amendment Seminar/Course
Course Description
This seminar surveys the doctrines of freedom of speech, press, and association as developed under the First Amendment, with a particular focus on how such doctrines can and should apply to emerging issues in our digital democracy. Key topics include: the free-speech ramifications of social media platforms, online mis- and disinformation, the impact of new speech technologies on historically marginalized groups, AI and free speech, and comparative and international approaches to speech regulation. Readings will include foundational First Amendment cases, law review articles, and some popular accounts on law and technology issues. The main assignment for the seminar will be a substantial independent research paper on a topic of student’s choice on a free-expression topic of the student’s choice. Additionally, because participants’ ideas will be a main driver of our discussion, each week, participants will be responsible for a brief response (roughly 400 words) reacting to a reading of their choice for the week. Papers written for this seminar may satisfy the Advanced Writing Requirement.
Current and Previous Instructors
Key to Codes in Course Descriptions
P: Prerequisite
C: Prerequisite or Concurrent Requirement
R: Recommended Prior or Concurrent Course
Currently Scheduled Sections
CRN: 23448
- Spring '25
- 3
- 310
-
Thurs: 1:05-3:05
Day
-
Daniel Rauch
- 14 openings. (Limit 14).
-
585F
-
Materials to be posted on Blackboard or distributed in class