WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
School of Communication
Freedom of Expression (Com. 3070) Study Guide 4A.
Gershon’s Greatest Hits:
From John Adams to the Miracle on Ice, we have considered a number of people,
terms and events that tell America’s story. We have used several different
conceptual lenses to render some perspective in better appreciating that story,
including history, law, political expression and creative expression. Here then,
are some of the people, terms and stories that I would like you to review.
Thank you for your hard work this semester.
Dr. G.
LENS 1: HISTORY
Adams, John
As revolutionary leader during Continental Congress
As President
Legal defense of British soldiers, Boston Massacre
Marriage to Abigail Adams
Relationship with Thomas Jefferson
Continental Congress, I. II. & III., purpose of
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
It’s main purpose and later significance
Federalists v. Democratic Republicans
First Amendment
Reason for its creation
Five stated freedoms, implied rights
Hamilton, Alexander
Accomplishments, support of Federalist position
Differences between himself and Thomas Jefferson
Duel with Aaron Burr
Jefferson, Thomas
As 3rd President of the U.S.
Drafting the Declaration of Independence
Founder of the University of Virginia
Louisiana Purchase
Renaissance man
Relationship with Alexander Hamilton
Lexington and Concord, Battles of
Significance of
Madison, James
U.S. Constitution
Republic, definition of
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights, including 1st Amendment
Separation of Powers, reasons for
Branches of the Government
• Legislative
• Executive
• Judicial
LENS 2: POLITICS OF EXPESSION
Prior Restraint: Regulatory Acts
Alien and Sedition Act, 1798
Purpose and key provisions, problems
Espionage Act, 1917
Purpose and key provisions, problems
Alien Registration Act (Smith Act), 1940
Purpose and key provisions, problems
U.S.A. Patriot Act, 2001 *
Purpose and key provisions, problems
with
with
with
with
Social Justice: People, Events and Political Commentary
Anthony, Susan B.
Women’s suffrage
Assange, Julian
Wikileaks
Bernstein, Carl & Woodward, Bob
Washington Post News Reporters, Watergate
Chávez, César
United Farm Workers
Debs, Eugene
American socialist
Democratic Convention, Chicago, 1968
Event, significance of
Freedom Riders
Garrison, William Lloyd
Abolitionist
Holmes, Oliver Wendell
Clear and Present Danger Standard
Kent State Shootings, 1970
Compare and contrast with Boston Massacre, 1770
King, Martin Luther
“I Have a Dream,” Address, March on Washington
“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” Address, Memphis, TN
Murrow, Edward R.
McCarthysm
Murrow’s See It Now Broadcast, McCarthy
Sanger, Margaret
Planned Parenthood
Snowden, Edward
NSA and PRISM
The 60’s, significance of, takeaway lessons
Confluence of factors: Vietnam, civil rights, and cultural change
Legal Cases
Schenk v. U.S., 1919
Clear and Present Danger Standard
Judicial Opinion by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes
Significance of Case
New York Times v. U.S. (Pentagon Papers), 1971
Ellsburg, Daniel
Nixon administration’s position
Purpose of Document
Significance of Case
Watergate, and United States v. Nixon (1974) *
Background and description of events
Nixon, Richard
Senate Watergate investigation committee, purpose of
Missing Tapes
Resignation of Richard Nixon
Significance of Supreme Court decision
Right to Know
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Organization and purpose
Criminal vs. Civil Law
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), reasons for
Role of President Lyndon Johnson
Gatekeeping, Principle of, factors and influences
Grand Jury, Purpose of
Muckracker, Origin of the Term, Authors and Examples
News Media Responsibility
Debbie Almontaser
Prior Restraint
Reporter’s Privilege
Promises of Confidentiality
Shield Laws
Definition, Limit and Scope of
Presidential Speeches and Addresses
Clinton, Bill
Oklahoma City Bombing Address
Kennedy, John
Cuban Missile Crisis Speech
Inauguration Address
Lincoln, Abraham
Accomplishments
Emancipation Proclamation, reasons for
Gettysburg Address, 1863, reasons for
Obama, Barak
Acceptance speech of becoming President elect, Grant Park
Reagan, Ronald
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
Roosevelt, Franklin
Declaration of War Speech Before U.S. Congress
LENS 3: SYMBOLIC SPEECH
Arlington National Cemetery, purpose, history of
Ellis Island, origins, history and symbolic significance
(see chapter slides on Mythology of the American Super Hero)
Lin, Maya, artist and sculptor
Vietnam Memorial Sculpture - Surrounding Controversy
Military Funerals
Rites and Rituals
Strobl, Lt. Col. Michael, Taking Chance (film)
Semiotics
Definition, examples of,
Symbols and Symbolism
Statue of Liberty
Reasons for its creation
Frederick Bartholdi
Texas V. Johnson, 1989
Constitutional Protection of Flag Burning
United States v. O’ Brien, 1968
Military service registration (or draft) cards
The O’Brien Test
Hate Speech
Chaplinksi v. New Hampshire, 1942
Fighting words doctrine, meaning, reasons for
Civility, Problems Associated with Enforcing Civility
Doe v. The University of Michigan, 1989
University speech codes: Challenges and difficulties
National Socialist Party of America, v. Village of Skokie
Nazi march on the city of Skokie, IL
RAV. v. The City of Minneapolis, MN., 1992
St. Paul Bias Motivated Crime Ordinance, problems with
Snyder v. Phelps, 2010 (Supreme Court Decision)
Protesting at Military Funerals
Westboro Baptist Church
Due Process
Due Process and the 6th Amendment
Pretrial and trial publicity
The right to a fair and speedy trial
Wrongful conviction and detainment
Guantanamo Bay Naval Station
Detention of foreign prisoners
Innocence Project, purpose of organization
State of N.J. v. Richard Bruno Hauptman, 1935, Significance of
Prosecutorial Misconduct
Duke University Rape Case, 2006, Case and Significance of
Michael Morton, Case and Significance of
LENS 4: PERSONAL EXPRESSION
American Originals 1: Painting and Photography
Norman Rockwell, painter and illustrator
Ansel Adams, photographer
Dorthea Lange, photographer
LeRoy Neiman, painter
R.C. Gorman, painter
Annie Leibovitz, photographer
Stephen Holland, painter
American Originals 2: Film (see clips listed at the end)
Eastwood, Clint
Jones, James Earl
Nicholson, Jack
Streep, Meryl
Everyday Heroes
Apollo 11 Space Mission
Accomplishments and Significance
Civic Engagement, definition, quotes by:
Beckwith, Michael Bernard
Dylan, Bob
Nightingale, Earl
Fire Department of New York, 911
Accomplishments and Significance
Robinson, Jackie
U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team, 1980
Accomplishments and Significance
Michaels, Al, Commentary
U.S. Women’s World Cup Soccer Team, 1999
Accomplishments and Significance
Hero’s Journey
Archetype, definition, examples of
Campbell, Joseph, author
Hero’s Journey, select stages
The Call to Adventure
The Belly of the Whale
The Road of Trials
Atonement – The Final Test
Death
The Hero’s Reward
Super Heroes
Definition, examples of
Origins of Superman
Siegel, Jerry and Shuster, Joe
Super Heroes today, reasons for
Important Dates:
April 19, 1775
July 4, 1776
1775 – 1781
July 4, 1826
1861-1865
1941-1945 (1939-1945)
July 20, 1969
September 11, 2001
See Film clip quotes listed below:
American Originals II. Great Television/Film Moments
Clint Eastwood
Dirty Harry
Go ahead, make my day
It’s Half Time in America
It’s halftime. Both teams are in their locker room discussing what they can
do to win this game in the second half. It’s halftime in America, too. People are
out of work and they’re hurting. And they’re all wondering what they’re going
to do to make a comeback. And we’re all scared, because this isn’t a game.
The people of Detroit know a little something about this. They almost lost
everything. But we all pulled together, now Motor City is fighting again. I’ve seen
a lot of tough eras, a lot of downturns in my life. And, times when we didn’t
understand each other. It seems like we’ve lost our heart at times. When the
fog of division, discord, and blame made it hard to see what lies ahead.
But after those trials, we all rallied around what was right, and acted as one.
Because that’s what we do. We find a way through tough times, and if we
can’t find a way, then we’ll make one.
Jack Nicholson
A Few Good Men
Col. Jessup: You want answers?
Kaffee:
I want the truth!
Col. Jessup: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has
walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do
it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you
can possibly fathom! You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You
have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that
Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while
grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the truth,
because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on
that wall! You need me on that wall! We use words like "honor", "code",
"loyalty". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending
something. You use them as a punchline! I have neither the time nor the
inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket
of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which
I provide it! I would rather you just said "Thank you," and went on your way.
Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I
don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!
James Earl Jones
Voice of Darth Vadar, Mustafa
Field of Dreams
Terrance Mann: People will come, Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they
can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're
doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past.
"Of course, we won't mind if you look around", you'll say, "It's only $20 per
person". They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is
money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit
in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats
somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children
and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they
dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to
brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through
all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of
steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again.
But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past,
Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again. Oh...people
will come Ray. People will most definitely come.”
Meryl Streep
The Devil Wears Prada
Miranda Priestly [Miranda and some assistants are deciding between two similar
belts for an outfit. Andy sniggers because she thinks they look exactly the same]
Something funny?
Andy Sachs: No. No, it's just that both those belts look exactly the same to me.
You know, I'm still learning about all this stuff and, uh...
Miranda Priestly: This... stuff'? Oh. Okay. I see. You think this has nothing to do
with you. You go to your closet and you select... I don't know... that lumpy blue
sweater, for instance because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself
too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that
that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise. It's not lapis. It's actually cerulean.
And you're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did
a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent... wasn't it
who showed cerulean military jackets? I think we need a jacket here. And then
cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. And then it,
uh, filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some
tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin.
However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it's sort of
comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion
industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the
people in this room from a pile of stuff.