Constitutional Law-Theories of Freedom of Expression – 6059

Fall 2012

This course will survey the evolution of First Amendment law as it affects the legal rights and privileges of the print and electronic media. Topics will include prior restraints, libel, privacy, reporters' privilege, access to courts (including free press/fair trial), commercial speech, and obscenity/indecency. The course will examine the statutory and common law rights of access to information, and will consider the constitutional implications of government regulation of media content, including the new media. We will read court opinions as well as seminal scholarly articles on the historical origins and philosophical foundations of freedom of press and speech, and review doctrinal themes.

Crosslisted with Jour 8678