Learn about important political issues this fall

This is a response to stories by Mandie Rainwater, Brandon Martin and Amber Goldsmith on Arizona’s harassment bill, the national discussion alleging an anti-religious tone and contraception as a non-health care issue.

In an era where young people are constantly accused of being out of touch as well as not being fully informed about Constitutional matters may I applaud you all and Eagle News for caring about our First Amendment freedoms. You seem to have a real handle on the relevant law and issues.

This fall I am teaching a new live course at FGCU (here comes the commercial). It is PLA 4933 – Special Topics: Constitutional Law – First Amendment Freedoms, crn 82040, in Marieb Hall-Room 100, M--11:00 AM to 1:45 PM. The goals of this course are for the student to:

- Understand the development of First Amendment rights in American history,

- Appreciate protections and limitations regarding speech and the press,

- Argue for and against rights of petition and assembly,

- Know how to legally exercise  freedom of religion,

- Realize that First Amendment law changes and is challenged by new realities and technologies,

- Apply constitutional, case and statutory law to First Amendment-related situations and

- Establish a foundation for classroom debate.

We will be handling such related topics as:

- Arizona’s harassment law and its effects on online free speech

- The Obama Administration  health care mandate vs. religious freedom

- Using the word “God” in a public school song

- Miami Marlins Manager Ozzie Guillen’s comments on Fidel Castro in the press

- The press’ speech rights in reporting vs. sports player’s rights

- Atheists threatening lawsuits over memorial crosses at Camp Pendleton

If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me at bdiotale@fgcu.edu.

And above all keep thinking about these and other issues so crucial to our freedom!