Apart from their assigned mod courses, 1L students may only enroll in courses offered as 1L electives. A complete list of these courses can be found on the 1L Elective Listings page. 1L students must use the 1L class number listed on the course description when enrolling.
220.9 sec. 001 - First Amendment (Spring 2027)
Instructor: Kenneth A Bamberger (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only | profile)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only
Units: 3
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: In-Person
Meeting:
MW 08:29 AM - 09:50 AM
Location: Law 132
From January 11, 2027
To April 27, 2027
Course End: April 27, 2027
Class Number: 32991
Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 26
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 81
As of: 11/14 04:05 AM
When can the government restrict speech? What does religious freedom require—and when does it conflict with other constitutional rights? And how should the First Amendment apply when technology, culture, and society are changing faster than constitutional doctrine?
This course explores the First Amendment’s protections for religion and speech through some of the most important and contested cases in American constitutional law. We will examine the historical foundations of First Amendment doctrine while engaging with the contemporary controversies that are testing its boundaries. Particular attention will be paid to the effects of new technologies, changing social and cultural norms, and the evolving perspectives of the Supreme Court. The course asks not only what the First Amendment means today, but how—and why—we think it should respond to a changing America.
Please note that students may use either Dean Chemerinsky's dedicated First Amendment casebook, or his larger Constitutional Law casebook if they already own it.
Exam Notes: (F) In-person Final Exam
(Subject to change by faculty member only through the first two weeks of instruction)
Exam Length: 3.5 hours
Course Category: Public Law and Policy
If you are the instructor or their FSU, you may add a file like a syllabus or a first assignment.
Class materials may also be available on bCourses.berkeley.edu
Readers:
No reader.
Books:
Instructor has not yet confirmed their textbook order, please check back later.