LAWPUBL 744 : Special Topic: Freedom of Speech as Constitutional Principle

Law

2024 Semester Two (1245) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

No prescription

Course Overview

Freedom of speech is a widely agreed upon principle in free democratic societies. But, at the same time, it is at the centre of fierce and wide-ranging disputes. In this course, we will examine the rationales for protection of freedom of speech and key controversies surrounding freedom of speech.
The course will examine the key ideas that animate freedom of speech as a legal principle. It will cover traditional arguments from truth, democracy, autonomy, and mistrust of government as well as more modern versions relying on dignity and equality. It will also examine selected free speech controversies such as defamation law, electoral funding, racial and religious vilification, freedom of speech in universities, and political protest. (The precise list will be finalised closer to the date of teaching). 
The course will be comparative: jurisdictions of particular focus will be New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Graduate Profile: Master of Laws

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain and critically evaluate the rationales for protection of freedom of speech. (Capability 3.1 and 6.1)
  2. Articulate and critically examine the key ideas that animate freedom of speech as a legal principle. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  3. Critically engage with free speech controversies. (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1)
  4. Critically analyse and compare freedom of speech as a constitutional principle in a range of jurisdictions. (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Participation 10% Individual Coursework
Research essay outline 10% Individual Coursework
Research essay 80% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Participation
Research essay outline
Research essay

Workload Expectations

This is an intensive 30-point course taught over five working days. There will be around 40 hours of lectures/seminars in this course. The guideline for the total workload for this course is 300 hours. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected over the five day intensive and is designed to be participatory, so it depends upon students being personally present and contributing. The discussions will often go in interesting directions precisely because of the contributions of the class.

The normal expectation is that students will select their research topic during the course, based on particular aspects of the course that they find especially interesting and wish to pursue.

The classes will not be available as recordings.  

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

This is the first time this course has been taught. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course director, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a Student Academic and Support Adviser as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 08/11/2023 08:46 a.m.