I have a lot of notes about possible readings, subjects and 'things to understand' that we might focus on in this course. The course could be rather short, with just 3 to 4 class meetings. Please let me know if you'd like more info!

~~Geoff

Possible class meetings

History and the American judicial system.
Principle perspectives: the 'absolutist position' vs. 'deliberative democracy.'
Morality.
In depth focus on pornography.

Subjects

Obscenity
Commerical speech
The right to privacy
Impact on democracy
Democratic decision-making
Limitations of speech
Criticism of free speech

Possible reading selections

Key Court decisions, John Stuart Mill, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Meiklejohn, Walter Lipmann, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, C.G. Chesterton, Allan Bloom, I.F. Stone, Jerry Mander, Shiffrin, Cass Sunstein, Robert Bork, etc.

Things to Understand

What is free speech? What is 'speech'? What is 'political speech'? What is 'freedom of speech' in the First Amendment?
What is 'political'? What is an 'idea'?
Is there a right and responsibility for the government to ‘protect social order and morality’?
and more