Curated OER
Teaching About Freedom of Speech on the Internet
Students explore the first amendment in relation to their own personal use of the internet and discuss the legal implications that occur when schools and libraries put filters on computers to restrict access to certain websites.
Curated OER
Painting Inside the Lines
Learners examine how freedoms of expression and religion are shaped within democracies. They consider reactions to controversial art exhibit in Moscow. They compose reaction papers supporting or refuting a quotation from the article read...
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Kentucky Resolution of 1799
The full text of the Kentucky Resolution of 1799, in which the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky declares its opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.
Harvard University
Harvard Law: Freedom of Speech and Anonymous Speech
This site from Cyber Harvard Law offers summaries of three different Supreme Court cases which address the limits of free speech. Includes interactive opinion, multiple-choice questions. Links to the written opinions of the Court for...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Exploring Constitutional Law
Although the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, its interpretation is open to many opinions, causing great controversies. Students can read the Constitution as well as the many issues that surround the document. If that proves...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by Congress in 1798 because of feared war with France. This engaging page gives you the opportunity to see a complete copy of the original document and also gives links to a typed transcript,...
PBS
Now With Bill Moyers: Supreme Court and Freedom of Speech
Brief descriptions of several case studies involving decisions by the Supreme Court concerning First Amendment rights, especially freedom of speech.
Lectric Law Library
'Lectric Law Library: New York Times v. United States
The 1971 leaking of the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times led to a Supreme Court case in which the government took the newspaper to court over publishing classified information about Vietnam War policy.
George Washington University
Nsa: The Pentagon Papers: Secrets, Lies, and Audiotapes
This site offers an extensive history of the 1971 Pentagon Papers case. Features include transcripts of President Nixon's tapes, White House phone conversations, memoirs, and other primary resources.
Other
Janet Reno vs. American Civil Liberties Union
A complete transcript outlining the court case between Janet Reno, U.S. Attorney General, and the American Civil Liberties Union, in which the Communications Decency Act was declared unconstitutional.
Other
University of Arkansas: The Ordeal of Religious Test Oaths in Pennsylvania
An argumentative essay on the underlying premise of political theory which deals with religious test oaths.
Other
Freedom Forum: Lesson Plans for the First Amendment
These lessons address constitutional principles and contemporary issues involving the First Amendment. They intend to have explore how freedoms began and how they operate in today's world. Students will discuss just how far individual...
Yale University
Avalon Project: The Bill of Rights
Yale's School of Law provides the text of the ten original amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Alien and Sedition Acts
This timeline provides links to the texts of the Alien and Sedition Acts, and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions that protested them.
Boston College
Boston College: Gitlow v. New York
Complete syllabus and opinion of the Gitlow v. New York United States Supreme Court case.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: The Stolen Valor Act and False Speech
A lesson plan, including an extension opportunity, addressing whether the Stolen Valor Act violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Other
Student Press Law Center Legal Brief: Libel Law
Excellent site for students that need to know more about libel laws. Includes a definition of libel, a process to go by in order to avoid a lawsuit, and your defense options if you happen to be involved in a lawsuit.
Other
A Guide to Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
This site has A Complete Guide to the Supreme Court Decision for this Supreme Court case. It can be downloaded as a PDF file. The article explains many different aspects of the case, including What the Decision Says, What the Decision...
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project: Bigelow v. Virginia (1975)
Brief overview of the Bigelow v. Virginia (1975) Supreme Court case.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez: Gitlow v. New York
Brief resource presents the facts of the case, questions presented, and the conclusion of the Gitlow v. New York United States Supreme Court case.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: Expansion of Democracy During the Jacksonian Era
Lesson where students explore the emergence of the American system of democracy and political parties between 1820 and 1850. Using paintings by George Caleb Bingham and Richard Caton Woodville, and a political cartoon depicting the...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Cox v. New Hampshire (1941)
Full opinion of the United States Supreme Court in the Cox v. New Hampshire case (1941).
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Times Film Corp. V. City of Chicago (1961)
Read the majority opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court in Times Film Corp. v. City of Chicago, a 1961 case that focused on free speech and obscenity.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Joseph Burstyn, Inc. V. Wilson (1952)
This resource provides information about the Joseph Burstyn v. Wilson Supreme Court case.