This course is a basic introduction to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, focusing on the free speech and free press guarantees. Among the topics to be studied are the special problems of particular kinds of speech, including advocacy of violence as a political tool for change, libel, obscenity, hate speech, commercial speech, and symbolic speech, such as flag burning. The course will also address particular techniques employed by the government to censor speech, such as prior restraints, time, place, and manner restrictions on speech , and access to public streets and parks to exercise rights of expression. If time allows, the course may also address two regligion clauses of the First Amendment. (Credits may be applied toward Public Interest Practice concentration.)