LibraryGuides: Banned Books: The First Amendment

First Amendment Resources

Book Banning | The First Amendment Encyclopedia
The Free Speech Center is a nonpartisan public policy center at Middle Tennessee State University that works to build understanding of the First Amendment and Bill of Rights through education, information, and engagement.
First Amendment Fundamental Freedoms | Constitution Annotated
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The Freedom Forum
The Freedom Forum’s network of experts bring a wide range of backgrounds in law, education and civil society to their analysis and commentary on First Amendment issues.
The Knight First Amendment Institute
The Knight First Amendment Institute defends the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age through strategic litigation, research, and public education. Our aim is to promote a system of free expression that is open and inclusive, that broadens and elevates public discourse, and that fosters creativity, accountability, and effective self-government.
Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
Notable First Amendment Court Cases | American Library Association
This page contains summaries of frequently cited First Amendment cases. Arranged by topic, they cover case law issued by a variety of courts: the Supreme Court of the United States, the Court of Appeals of different Federal circuits, the District Court of several Federal districts, as well as the highest court of several states and particular appellate courts of action.

First Amendment Materials

JaySearch Tips: Searching by Subject

This page includes a curated list of books on the First Amendment and adjacent titles available in our collections. If you're interested in other titles, you can search our catalog, JaySearch, using "Subjects." In JaySearch, under Advance Search, change the search filter from the "Title" default to "Subject." Use the "Resource Type" limiter on the lefthand side to limit to articles, books, and other materials.

If we don't carry a print or electronic title, be sure to try requesting via InterLibrary Loan or work with a librarian to help find what you're looking for.

Use the link(s) below to browse materials by indicated subject that the University Libraries has access to.

Books

Free Speech Handbook by Ian Rosenberg; Mike Cavallaro (Illustrator) In this volume of the World Citizen Comics series, Ian Rosenberg and Mike Cavallaro create a practical framework for understanding and appreciating the First Amendment. Freedom of speech is fiercely defended in America and has been since the First Amendment was written. But how does it work, and what laws shape it? Drawing on parallels between ten seminal Supreme Court cases and current events, Free Speech Handbook lays out the fundamentals of First Amendment law in an accessible and engaging way. This book is part of the World Citizen Comics series, a bold line of civics-focused graphic novels that equip readers to be engaged citizens and informed voters.
ISBN: 9781250619754
Publication Date: 2021-11-30
New Directions in the Ethics and Politics of Speech by J. P. Messina (Editor) This book features new perspectives on the ethics and politics of free speech. Contributors draw on insights from philosophy, psychology, political theory, journalism, literature, and history to respond to pressing problems involving free speech in liberal societies. Recent years have seen an explosion of academic interest in these topics. However, most recent work has focused on constitutional protections for free speech and on issues related to academic freedom and campus politics. The chapters in this volume set their sights more broadly on the non-state problems that we collectively face in attempting to realize a healthy environment for free discourse. The volume's contributors share the assumption that threats to free speech do not come exclusively from state sources or bad actors, but from ordinary strategic situations in which all may be acting in good faith. Contributors take seriously the idea that our current cultural moment provides plenty of reason to be concerned about our intellectual climate and offer new insights for how to make things better.　 New Directions in the Ethics and Politics of Speech will be of interest to researchers and students working in ethics, political philosophy, social theory, and law.   The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.
ISBN: 9781000652772
Publication Date: 2022-07-25
A Short and Happy Guide to the First Amendment by Mark C. Alexander; Robert C. Power This concise guide breaks down a complicated topic--the First Amendment--and makes it understandable and fun. The book walks briskly through cases, rules, and theories to draw a reader-friendly road map of the First Amendment. Two law school deans and First Amendment enthusiasts, Bob Power and Mark Alexander, synthesize principles with memorable examples and a sharp wit. Their analysis reveals the common sense behind much First Amendment law, and at the same time identifies some of its flaws and inconsistencies. The book addresses the deep historic roots as well as current problems such as campaign finance, hate speech, and electronic communications. It is equally useful as a general guide as it is for preparing for class and for exams (including the bar!).
ISBN: 9781634602587
Publication Date: 2016-04-08