IMS FSV UK – Katedra severoamerických studií

Winter Semester 2017; Tuesday 15.30-16.50h; Room J3015

Garant	Tomáš Klvaňa, Ph D, M.A.(office hours: Tuesday 17-18h, or by appointment)
Course	Freedom of Speech
Class Description	Freedom of expression is the basic right that in democracy undergirds all other rights and liberties. It is also one of the most contested rights, attacked from the left and right. Western in origin, it figures prominently in today’s globalizing discourse. Taking advantage of the historian Timothy Garton Ash’s theoretical framework of principles for a connected world, the course explores the assumptions and practical controversies related to free expression.
Desired Outcomes	Students will understand the phenomenon on several levels including political, practical, theoretical, religious and historic. They will demonstrate an ability disentangle current controversies surrounding free speech and see them from multiple perspectives.
Assessment Components	10% -- Class Attendance 20% -- Class Activity · Discussion moderated by professor based on course reading, films and lectures · Possible short quizzes based on readings · Short student presentations 35% -- Midterm Examination (several short essay-type answers; closed book and notes: students will not be allowed to use any course or internet resources) 35% -- Final Examination (three hand-written essays in class; comprehensive; open notes and books: students are allowed to use the course resources) A failure to submit or fulfill any of the above would result in the F grade for the course.
Assessment Expectations	Grade A: Excellent work demonstrating a critical and observant approach to the subject, sound research and an ability to express thoughts cogently and persuasively. Grade B: Very good work. Grade C: Satisfactory work. Grade F: Failure to achieve a passable standard.
Grading	A = 91-100, B = 81-90, C = 71-80, F = 70 and below
Required Text(s)	· Timothy Garton Ash –Free Speech: Ten Principles for a Connected World. Yale University Press, 2016 · Texts and videos from http://freespeechdebate.com/en/ and other sources. Some videos are listed in the course schedule. All are subject to change.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1	Introduction
Week 2	Civil Society Goes Global In-class videos: Salman Rushdie Required reading: Garton Ash (Post-Gutenberg, Cosmopolis and Ideals)
Week 3	The Principle of Principles In-class videos: Noam Chomsky on the Internet Echo Chambers (excerpts) Required reading: Garton Ash (Lifeblood)
Week 4	Violence In-class videos: The Innocence of Muslims (excerpts) Required reading: Garton Ash (Violence)
Week 5	Taboos, or No Taboos? In-class videos: Rubin Report (excerpts) Required reading: Garton Ash (Knowledge)
Week 6 – Nov 7 CHANGE OF TIME AND VENUE	The Marketplace of Ideas: How will Brexit Change Central Europe (A combined class session with New York University students at the NYU building, at 15-16.20h, Malé náměstí 11, Praha 1, Mucha Classroom, 1st floor) Required reading: Garton Ash (Journalism)
Week 7	Midterm Examination The Marketplace of Ideas In-class videos: Christina Hoff Sommers Required reading: Garton Ash (Diversity)
Week 8	Religion: Are We Allowed to Hate Islam, Christianity and other Religions? In-class videos: Christopher Hitchens Required reading: Garton Ash (Religion)
Week 9	Private vs. Public Interest In-class videos: Ayaan Hirsi Ali Required reading: Garton Ash (Privacy)
Week 10	National Security Required reading: Garton Ash (Secrecy)
Week 11	The Bullhorns of the Oligarchs In-class film – Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press dir. by Brian Knappenberger (excerpts) Required reading: Garton Ash (Icebergs)
Week 12	Course Review Required reading: Garton Ash (Courage, Challenge)
FINAL EXAM	January -- TBD