The First Amendment: Cases and Theory - Fifth Edition - Ronald J. Krotoszynski

The First Amendment: Cases and Theory, Fifth Edition Ronald J. Krotoszynski

ISBN: 9798894108094

The First Amendment: Cases and Theory, Fifth Edition

The First Amendment: Cases and Theory, Fifth Edition, provides comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of freedom of speech, freedom of association, and religious liberty. Using the case method, the book connects First Amendment doctrine with the theories and principles underlying the Supreme Court’s decisions. Rather than relying on memorization of complex legal tests, students develop a deeper understanding of the purposes and values that shape constitutional protections.

Problems at the end of each major section help students assess their understanding and apply relevant precedents. The casebook also compares the American approach to expressive freedom with that of other constitutional democracies, including Canada and Germany. Extensive notes address contemporary controversies and clarify important doctrinal developments. Designed for a standard three-hour First Amendment survey, the book can also support focused courses on the Speech, Press, Assembly, or Religion Clauses.

New to the 5th Edition

• Revised coverage of foundational free speech doctrines, including excluded categories of speech, content neutrality, symbolic conduct, and freedom of association.
• Recent Supreme Court decisions addressing freedom of expression, free exercise of religion, and the Establishment Clause.
• New chapters on social media and emerging communications technologies, as well as campaign speech and spending.
• Comprehensive updates through 2026, including major First Amendment decisions since the Fourth Edition.
• New co-author Charlotte Garden, a recognized expert in freedom of expression.

Key Features and Benefits

• Comprehensive contemporary coverage: Examines major free speech and religious liberty controversies likely to shape future Supreme Court decisions.
• Flexible course structure: Suitable for a complete three-hour survey course or more specialized First Amendment courses.
• Emerging free speech issues: Addresses sexting, nonconsensual pornography, racist trademarks, government speech, and students’ speech rights in the digital age.
• Historical and doctrinal context: Places evolving First Amendment principles within a coherent historical narrative.
• International comparisons: Examines how other countries approach issues such as libel, hate speech, national security, and sexually explicit speech.
• Updated speech and association doctrines: Covers excluded categories of speech, content neutrality, symbolic expression, compelled speech, association and non-association, and campaign finance.
• Reorganized Religion Clauses coverage: Explores the expanding scope of the Free Exercise Clause and the changing interpretation of the Establishment Clause.
• Religious exemptions: Examines conflicts involving religious exemptions from antidiscrimination laws for individuals, churches, and businesses.
• Federal and state religious freedom laws: Includes dedicated coverage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and state RFRAs.
• Modern Establishment Clause doctrine: Explains the shift away from the Lemon and endorsement tests toward coercion and history-and-tradition approaches, with cases involving public school prayer, creationism, religious symbols, legislative prayer, and government funding of religious schools.

The First Amendment: Cases and Theory 2026 Fifth Edition Ronald J. Krotoszynski
ISBN: 9798894108094, 979-8894108094, 979-8-8941-0809-4, 979-8-89410-809-4

Ronald J. Krotoszynski
Lyrissa C. Barnett Lidsky
Caroline M. Corbin
Timothy Zick
Charlotte Garden