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Free Speech in Contemporary Democracies

Free Speech in Contemporary Democracies. Julie C. Van Camp Fulbright Lecturer Comenius University Professor of Philosophy California State University, Long Beach. Weeks 2-4: 27 September, 4 October, 11 October. What is the basis for the right of free speech?

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Free Speech in Contemporary Democracies

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  1. Free Speech in Contemporary Democracies Julie C. Van Camp Fulbright Lecturer Comenius University Professor of Philosophy California State University, Long Beach

  2. Weeks 2-4: 27 September, 4 October, 11 October • What is the basis for the right of free speech? • Principles of good government and well-functioning democracies: J.S. Mill’s On Liberty • University human rights: United Nations declarations of rights of free speech • European Union principles of free speech • U.S. Constitution: First Amendment right of free speech

  3. Week 5:18 October • When can free speech be restricted and with what justification? • What exceptions should we recognize for the right of free speech? • Should free speech be an absolute right with no exceptions?

  4. Week 625 October • Mid-term essay exam • You will be given an example of controversial speech and asked to use the course material to date to: • Defend free speech for that example • Defend suppression of the speech for that example • Open book/open notes • Test of your understanding of the theoretical material and your ability to apply it explicitly and specifically to a real problem

  5. Week 7: 1 November • University closed: All Saints’ Day • No class

  6. Weeks 8-98 November & 15 November • Current governmental issues in free speech • EU directive against racism and xenophobia • Regulation of the Internet in the EU and the US • Military secrets • Obscenity/pornography • Material harmful to children • Prohibition on Hitler’s writing

  7. Weeks 10-1122 November & 29 November • Current issues in free speech for artists and funding for the arts • Should arts have special privileges for free speech? • Can government funding be balanced with the free speech of artists? • Does government funding necessarily lead to restricted speech for artists?

  8. Week 126 December • Summary and Review • Papers due • Hard-copy on paper in class OR • E-mail attachment in Word format • Identify a free speech controversy in Slovakia or Europe generally and use course material to argue • The free speech should be defended AND • Suppression of the speech is justified

  9. Final Exam: week of January 7 • Essay questions demonstrating understanding of course material all term • Closed book/closed notes • Two hours

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