PHIL 50.30 Freedom of Expression

What does it mean to express oneself? Are there special reasons not to limit people’s freedom of expression? If protecting freedom of expression is profoundly important, does this mean that even hate speech (for example) must be protected? What limits can there be? These are some of the questions we will take up in this class. The first part of the course will study foundational questions about the nature and value of freedom of expression. The second part of the course will then examine specific topics including obscenity, pornography, hate speech, privacy, and corporate speech. We will conclude with a critical discussion of several recent Supreme Court decisions on freedom of expression.

Prerequisite

Two Philosophy courses, or permission of the Instructor.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:TMV

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