You Can't Say That on TV, or Can You? The Limits of Free Speech in America

There are seven words that comic George Carlin suggested could never be said on the radio. And sure enough, when someone does say those words on the radio, or on broadcast television, the station carrying the offending programming may be fined thousands of dollars or even risk losing its license. But what about the First Amendment to the United States Constitution? Doesn't it say that the government is forbidden from restricting speech? How does the protection afforded by the First Amendment square with punishing people for using certain words?

This class focuses on free speech issues in America. Students will consider why (or why not) free speech is important and how the free speech tradition developed, first in Europe and then in the North American colonies. They will study the First Amendment and analyze various philosophies about what the Amendment really means. Exceptions to the First Amendment, such as incitement to imminent lawless action, threats, and obscenity, will be explored. Additionally, students will consider issues that arise when free speech rights conflict with other important considerations, such as the right of a criminal defendant to a fair trial, or the need to protect copyright owners from illegal distribution of copyrighted materials.

Through course readings, directed writing assignments, oral presentations, and class discussion, students completing this course will have a firm grasp of why free speech is important, what the limits on free speech are in this country, and how to analyze and critically assess free speech arguments.