A basic principle of American democracy is freedom of expression, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. In practice, this freedom has been limited by various political, economic, social, psychological and other factors in our national history. Indeed, the entire area of freedom of communication has generated vigorous political debate for many decades. Through an examination of leading Supreme Court decisions and dramatic case studies of censorship of books, speeches, artworks, and many other forms of communication, students will discover the extent and limitations of freedom of communication in this society. As a result, they will have the opportunity to formulate and express their own views on the proper scope of free expression. This class is an undergraduate liberal arts class intended to promote broader historical, political, and social analysis.