PSCI 455 - First Amendment and American Democracy

3 hours
One of America’s most enduring contributions to Western civilization is a written constitution securing fundamental liberties as bulwarks against governmental tyranny. The most precious of these liberties-those of religion, speech, press, and assembly–are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Historically, the Constitution and the fundamental rights which it protected emerged from a venerable “higher law” tradition which stressed the rule of law under God and the existence of inalienable rights given by the Creator. This course explores the historical development of the American constitutional heritage, focusing in particular on the political theory and case law underlying the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly. Prerequisite(s): Recommended PSCI 447. UG