First amendment project FAQ
Issue date: 5/15/02 Section: 100x MM Online
Watch this space for updates as more frequently asked questions come in.
As you work on your First Amendment Project there are some questions I'm getting that all of you could benefit from with the answer.
"Can I do a paper on censorship of music?"
Well, maybe. That's pretty general. Your assignment is start with a specific issue in the news and then progress to the general in part two. Is there a current news story about some band being censored? If yes, then you can pursue that topic. Part one would be about what is going on with the band, part two about the history of censorship of music, including court decisions, and part three would be personal application (how it affects you or could affect you and what you think about it).
"Can I do a story on flag burning based on a 1989 article about a bill Congress is proposing?"
No. It certainly fits the qualification on First Amendment/expression clause issue. But part one requires something current. 1989 doesn't cut it. I'm looking for something not more than a couple of months old. The problem here is that you've chosen the topic of flag burning (general) and then looked for the specific item second. Start with the specific item and let you dictate where it takes you for part two.
"Can you share with me a list of topics other students have chosen in the past?"
No. Part of the purpose of the assignment is to get you to understand what a First Amendment issue/expression clause issue is.
"What about if I discussed the issue of public schools and prayers/Bibles? Would that be considered an appropriate and current issue? One of the articles I was reading was dated just a few months back."
Okay, timely and First Amendment, but not expression clause. It is either establishment clause or exercise clause material. So it is not eligible.
"Since (this assignment) is going to be longer than the other assignments and its going to have pictures and some other things I was wondering if you were going to let us send it as an attachment or do you still want us to send it as a regular e-mail?"
As you work on your First Amendment Project there are some questions I'm getting that all of you could benefit from with the answer.
"Can I do a paper on censorship of music?"
Well, maybe. That's pretty general. Your assignment is start with a specific issue in the news and then progress to the general in part two. Is there a current news story about some band being censored? If yes, then you can pursue that topic. Part one would be about what is going on with the band, part two about the history of censorship of music, including court decisions, and part three would be personal application (how it affects you or could affect you and what you think about it).
"Can I do a story on flag burning based on a 1989 article about a bill Congress is proposing?"
No. It certainly fits the qualification on First Amendment/expression clause issue. But part one requires something current. 1989 doesn't cut it. I'm looking for something not more than a couple of months old. The problem here is that you've chosen the topic of flag burning (general) and then looked for the specific item second. Start with the specific item and let you dictate where it takes you for part two.
"Can you share with me a list of topics other students have chosen in the past?"
No. Part of the purpose of the assignment is to get you to understand what a First Amendment issue/expression clause issue is.
"What about if I discussed the issue of public schools and prayers/Bibles? Would that be considered an appropriate and current issue? One of the articles I was reading was dated just a few months back."
Okay, timely and First Amendment, but not expression clause. It is either establishment clause or exercise clause material. So it is not eligible.
"Since (this assignment) is going to be longer than the other assignments and its going to have pictures and some other things I was wondering if you were going to let us send it as an attachment or do you still want us to send it as a regular e-mail?"
