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| Freedom
of Speech
Niemi
Development Team
Reviewed 4/22/08
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Introduction
This module is designed to provide a critical understanding of one of the fundamental values in our society: freedom of speech. It is arguable that freedom of speech is the most fundamental of all the freedoms catalogued in the First Amendment. The right to assembly, for example, is hardly conceivable without freedom of speech. The importance and the value of this freedom should be understood and explained at the high school level.
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Key
Concepts and Vocabulary
Rights. Rights to free speech are usually considered to be in form of both liberty rights and claim rights. Liberty rights are rights that one asserts when there are no existing laws against the asserted rights. Thus, one could assert one’s right to write a book because there are no legal restrictions against it. Claim rights, on the other hand, imply obligations in the person or entity the right is claimed against. Thus, if one claims the right to speak in a public park, then others have the corresponding obligation not to prevent one from speaking.
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Background
for for
Teachers
This module is best approached as an explanation of why freedom of speech is an important freedom. The teacher might begin by asking himself or herself a question about freedom in general: Do I think that freedom in general is important and if so, why do I think that? Reflecting on this will hopefully bring up some answers such as individuals arguably value freedom because it allows them to do what they want and also allows them to construct their overall life plan in accordance with their desires (choose occupations, choose friends, etc.).
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