Freedom of Expression: Comparative Perspectives
Course Level
intermediate - advanced / 3rd - 4th year
Course Language
English
Course Classification
This is a Themis course. It is also open to non-Themis students.
Teaching Mode
face-to-face teaching on campus
Contact Hours
2 hours per week
ECTS-credits
5 (if course has been attended regularly and exam has been passed)
Frequency
This course will be taught at irregular intervals. It will be available in the winter term 2023/24.
Time Schedule and Course Venue
please see our electronic course catalogue
Course Content
This course will explore freedom of expression as a fundamental right in democracies. It will first introduce different philosophical foundations of free speech, before comparing the American free speech tradition with other Western traditions, including Germany and the United Kingdom. It will also examine the legal limits of free speech and other less direct forms of speech restriction and look at the regulations of free speech in work settings and universities. The course will draw extensively upon Anglo-American scholarship and utilize legal texts and examples from various Western countries.
Learning Objectives
Students will
- deepen their understanding of free speech traditions and philosophical foundations in different jurisdictions
- appreciate the importance of freedom of expression and its limits and learn the importance of defending other people’s right to express opinions different from their own
- be able to articulate perspectives and arguments on complex free-speech related problems
Restricted Enrollment
no (that means that everyone who signs up for this course on time can take part in this course)
Course Registration
Please sign up for this course under the module "Study Program for Exchange Students - Module 3".
registration period: 2 October 2023, 9 a.m. - 3 November 2023
De-Registration from this Course
regular drop period: 2 October 2023, 9 a.m. - 3 November 2023
After the regular drop period you can only drop this course with a valid cause until 14 days prior to the exam. Please contact the International Office at the Law Department if you have to use this option.
Type of Exam
written exam
Exam Period
The exam is going to take place in the last class session.
Registration for the Exam
International exchange students will automatically be registered for the exam when they sign up for this course.
De-Registration from the Exam
Students who drop this course via Campus Management are automatically de-registered from the exam. Students who do not drop this course via Campus Management and do not take part any longer, are going to finish this course with a non-passing grade (0 points).
Grade Release