Course Description

Welcome to Freedom of Speech, Theories and Controversies. A word of warning is in order: this class will contain at least "R" rated material. In my opinion there is no way to adequately explore the controversies surrounding freedom of speech without experiencing firsthand the material that some have claimed to be offensive and dangerous. We will listen to recordings, view videos and examine photographs that are often explicit. Students should be ready to confront this material and discuss it in a mature and intellectual fashion. I hope that by the end of this course students will have an understanding of some of the major theories about the role of speech in society and understand how they relate to contemporary controversies concerning freedom of speech.

Unit #1: Words that are Meant to Hurt

In the first two weeks we will explore the issue of hate speech. Should speech that is intended to shock or offend be restricted? Or should every citizen have the right - or even the obligation - to speak? We will examine the following contemporary issues: the use of the n-word, campus codes of conduct, sexual harassment, and cross burning.

Unit #2: Strangling the Flow of Information

Does our society offer us a "marketplace of ideas" from which we can form opinions? If so, should we tolerate the expression of all ideas - even ideas we know are false or potentially dangerous? If not, who controls the media and what ideas do they seek to suppress? We will examine the following contemporary issues: Internet regulation, media monopolization (and bias) and censorship through terrorism.

Unit #3: Mind Control and Brainwashing

Can we distinguish between beliefs arrived at rationally and brainwashing? How free are we to evaluate information and opinions? Can we be persuaded against our will? We will examine the following contemporary issues: The rise of manipulative cults (Heaven's gate, Jim Jones, and the Aum Shinrikyo), brainwashing and mind control techniques, euphemisms, and double-speak.

Unit #4: Obscenity, Pornography and Indecency

Should people be "as nasty as they wanna be" to quote the rap group, 2 Live Crew? Does obscenity play a legitimate role in art and protest movements? Or is obscenity a sign of our moral decay? Can we distinguish between art and obscenity? We will examine such issues as swearing and other offensive speech, the art of Robert Mapplethorpe and Andres Serranno, the comedy of Lenny Bruce, the feminist debate over pornography, and the anti-feminist arguments against pornography. What should we do about Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction? Should there be decency standards for broadcast media (TV and radio)? We will also explore attempts to regulate the Internet and the use of Internet "filters."

Required Materials

There is no text to buy in the bookstore. Readings will be available online or by other means

Grading

80% Four Tests (20% each)

Tests will be essay and/or short answer. A review sheet will be handed out at least one week prior to the test.

20% Class participation and in-class writing

Class participation will be measured by my perception of your constructive participation in class activities and discussion. Be aware that this portion of your grade is completely dependent on my subjective view of your participation. I expect that students will be cordial and respectful of others at all times. If your behavior is disruptive or disrespectful you may be asked to leave class (and it will count as an absence). Please note that beepers, cell phones and any other electronic devices that make audible noise must be turned off in class. Communication with others (by voice, text or other means) via any electronic devices (including answering a call or taking it out of the room) is not allowed. Use of such devices in class is disruptive, rude and will count against class participation. Students will also be expected to do some in-class writing about the day's reading or other topics.

Extra Credit Paper

Students will write a typed 5-7 page paper based on assigned readings. There will be a choice of paper topics. The paper must be typed and you must retain a hard copy and an electronic copy.

Methods of Evaluation:

Speeches - A short, partial description of the requirements for each speech will be handed out in class. Additional requirements for each speech will be covered in class. All graded speeches must be delivered extemporaneously. Speeches will be treated as works in progress. I may ask you to try a different approach to delivering your speech while you are delivering it or I may ask you to deliver part of your speech again using a different method of delivery. So long as you deliver the speeches extemporaneously I generally won't give you direction during your speech.

Interview Work - We will discuss interviewing with a focus on how to prepare to be interviewed for an entry-level job. Students will answer in writing a few commonly asked interview questions. This assignment will be a take-home test. This exercise will focus on successful strategies for responding to an interviewer's questions.

Other Assignments - This includes quizzes, assignments and in class writing. For in class writing students may be asked to answer questions / respond to the day's assigned reading, speech or a recent lecture. This may also include required work related to the major speeches.

Practicum - Experiential leadership of small groups of international students

Reaction Paper - In order to receive an "A" for the course, students must complete a two-page reaction paper on an assigned reading. Students may also do the paper for "extra credit."

Class Participation - Class participation will be measured by my perception of your constructive participation in class activities and discussion. Be aware that this portion of your grade is completely dependent on my subjective view of your participation. I expect that students will be cordial and respectful of others at all times. If your behavior is disruptive or disrespectful you may be asked to leave class (and it will count as an absence). Please note that beepers, cell phones and any other electronic devices that make audible noise must be turned off in class. Communication with others (by voice, text or other means) via any electronic devices (including answering a call or taking it out of the room) is not allowed. Use of such devices in class is disruptive, rude and will count heavily against class participation.

Course Policies:

Assignments - All assignments must be completed by the date due. Students should not expect late assignments to be graded. Exceptions will be granted solely at my discretion.

Attendance - You are allowed 3 absences. Two lates equal an absence. Each additional absence will lower your final mark one full letter grade (An A becomes a B etc.) Your active participation is essential for the success of this course. If you have a medical condition or other problem that may cause additional absences, please let me know in advance. If you are asked to leave the class, it will count as an absence. If you come to class after attendance is taken it is your responsibility to mention it to me that day after class to ensure you are marked present.

Academic Code of Conduct -Please read the Academic Code of Conduct. You can find the code in the Student Manual. Ignorance of the code or of proscribed behavior is not an excuse for violating the code of conduct. If I suspect that a student has violated the academic code of conduct, the burden of proof is on the student to prove s/he did not do it.

Plagiarism: Stealing or passing off the ideas of another person as your own is called plagiarism. If any written work is called into question you must be able to produce a bibliography of sources used. The burden of proof is on the student to prove that the sources cited are sufficient to create the entire piece of work in an ethical fashion.

Consequences for Violating the Academic Code of Conduct: The college policy empowers me to, among other things, assign a failing course grade, add a note to the student's permanent academic record and request the student's expulsion from the college. I will not hesitate to take such actions for students who plagiarize or otherwise violate the Academic Code of Conduct.

Changes in Course Policy: If I want to change a course policy outlined in this syllabus I will only do so after announcing the proposed policy change to class and after a majority of students who are present in class that day approve it.

Learning Disabilities: If you are a student with a disability and you believe you will need accommodations to succeed in this class contact the Office of Disability Services at 845-574-4541.

Book Loan Funds: The financial aid office and the student senate may loan students money to buy textbooks. Don't fall behind in the reading. Take advantage of these funds if you need them

Downloading Class Readings

Many of the assigned readings are available online through the RCC Library. To access these articles from home you must have an RCC email address Go to: http://webmail.sunyrockland.edu/ to activate your student email account. You can save the files to your computer and print them (usually this requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html).

Course Outline

Schedule of Reading Assignments

Note: Readings are due on the day listed. This schedule is subject to change.

Unit 1: Words that are Meant to Hurt

• Sept 3 - Introduction and Video
• Sep 8 -
  • How to Read for Class
  • Unit 1 Introduction: Words that are Meant to Hurt
  • If Words Will Never Hurt Me, Then...by John N. Berry III
  • Free Speech for Campus Bigots by Jon Wiener
  • Optional: Amendments to the Constitution
    • Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire (Fighting Words Case)
    • Michael Richards Spews Racial Slurs
• Sept 10
  • Finish discussing Free Speech for Campus Bigots by Wiener
  • Time Place and Manner Restrictions
  • Note: we have class today. There are no classes after 4PM.
• Sept 15
  • Overview of Cross Burning Cases
  • State Bans on Cross Burnings Upheld and Justices Allow Bans on Cross Burnings
  • Rights Advocates Uncertain About Ruling's Impact by Terry
  • Excerpts from Opinion and Dissents in Supreme Court Case on Cross Burning
  • Optional: Viewpoint Neutrality
• Sept. 17
  • For Using the N-Word, An Academic Loses His Job
  • Libel Law in the U.S. http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/press/press08.htm
• Sept 22 -
  • Whitney Bio (Overview of Whitney v. California)
  • Whitney v. People of State of California (Brandeis' opinion)
  • Optional: "What You Can't Say Will hurt You" by Geoffrey R. Stone in the New York Times (Database: Lexis Nexis) This is a good background piece for the Whitney v. Califonia excerpt.
• Note: Sept 22 is the last day to drop without a grade and the last day to apply for Dec graduation
• Sept 24 - Review for Exam #1
• Sept 29 - Exam #1

Unit 2: Controlling the Flow of Information

• Oct 1 - No Day or Evening Classes (Rosh Hashanah)
• Oct 6 - (Note: Most of these readings are short)
  • Introduction to Unit 2: Controlling the Flow of Information
  • On Liberty by Mill (excerpt)
  • Big 6 Put Hammerlock on Mass Media
  • The Ford Pinto Story
  • Public Information As Industrial By-Product  (Chapter 2 from The Media Monopoly) by Bagdikian
  • The National Entertainment State (2 Page Chart) from The Nation
• Oct 8 - Continue discussing The Media Monopoly
  • Optional:
    • Tomlinson and PBS (background about Bill Moyers)
    • 2) Bill Moyers' speech to the National Conference for Media Reform Listen online to the speech at: http://www.freepress.net/news/8120
    • Top 10 Policies to Fix Our Media http://www.freepress.net/content/10policies
    • CBS Statement on Advocacy Advertising
• Oct 13 - Note: Class is in session today, Columbus Day.
  • Excerpt from A Critique of Pure Tolerance: "Repressive Tolerance" by Marcuse
  • Cartoons: This Modern World by Tomorrow 
  • Optional for Columbus Day: Columbus and Western Civilization by Howard Zinn http://www.zmag.org/crisescurevts/columbus_western.html (pardon their typos, it's a good piece anyway)
• Oct 15 - (These readings are short)
  • Why is Salman Smiling?
  • Fatwa Against Rushdie Hurting Iran
  • Rushdie Faces New Death Threat From Kidney Sales
  • Yes, This is About Islam
  • Optional:  
    • Death Edict for Playwright
    • Censorship by Death
    • Why Ali Loved Flag Burnings
• Oct 20 -
  • Only Pictures
  • COINTELPRO and the History of Domestic Spying
  • Warrantless electronic surveillance falls under FISA
  • King George
  • Note: There may be another reading depending on news developments
• Oct 22 - The USA Patriot Act Six Months Later  by FEN
• Oct 27 -
  • Jury Finds Anti-Abortion Web Site, Posters Amount to Terrorist Threats
  • Library Grapples with Internet Freedom by Hafner
  • Screen Saviors by Wendy Kaminer
  • Optional: CIPA (AKA: CHIPA) District Court Decision
  • Review for Test #2
• Oct 29 - Test #2
• Note: November 2 is the last day to withdraw from a course without a failing grade and the last day to file pass/fail or audit form in Records Office.

Unit 3: Mind Control and Brainwashing

• Nov 3 -
  • Introduction to Unit 3: Mind Control and Brain Washing
  • Report of the APA Task Force on Deceptive and Indirect Techniques of Persuasion and Control           
  • Combatting Mind Control: Mind Control Versus Brainwashing (Excerpt) by Hassan
  • Appendix: Lifton's 8 Criteria of Mind Control
  • Note: Extra Credit papers are due Dec 3.
• Nov 5 - Continue discussing readings from last class
  • Excerpt from Brave New World Revisited: Brainwashing by Huxley
  • Optional: "Heaven's Gate and the Induced Apocalypse" by David Redle
• Nov 10 - Continue discussing reading from last class
  • Excerpt from 1984 by Orwell
  • A Nation Learning to Kill and Learning to Like It by Bernsetin
  • Optional: Valkyries Over Iraq
• Nov 12 -
  • ever Say Die by Laskas
  • Note: Take Home Test will be handed out today
  • Optional: "Are All Religions Manipulative Cults?" by Andrew Jacobs

Unit 4: Pornography, Obscenity and Indecency

• Nov 17 -
  • Introduction to Unit 4: Pornography, Obscenity and Indecency
  • Miller v. California
• Nov 19 -
  • Finish reading from last class
  • Excerpts from Sex, Sin, and Blasphemy:
    • Serrano and Mapplethorpe
    • "Comstock" and "A Word About Indecency"
  • PBS's American Experience Web Page: Margaret Sanger
  • Take Home Test Due
  • Optional:
    • Frontline: American Porn
    • PBS's American Experience: Comstock
• Nov 22 - 25 - Thanksgiving Break
• Nov 26 - Continue discussing excerpt readings from last class
• Dec 1 -
  • omen Against Censorship: False Promises: Feminist Antipornography Legislation (excerpt) by Duggan, Hunter and Vance
  • Note: Extra Credit papers are due today
• Dec 3 - Pornography, Obscenity and the Case for Censorship by Irving Kristol
• Dec 8 - TBA
• Dec 10 - TBA
• Dec 15 - Review for Exam #4
• Dec 17 - Exam #4