EMN U1 – Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech

 

Reading list:

  • Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
  • Timothy Garton Ash, Free Speech. Ten Principles for a Connected World.

Session 1 (Sept. 18th)

Assignment group A:

  • Read Chapter II of Huxley’s Brave New World, pp. 18-28 (PDF)
  • Read the extract of George Orwell’s 1984, Chapter 1, pp. 4-9 (PDF)
  • Take a look a this picture from Orwell’s On Truth (p. 7):

Question: Can you honestly say that you are thinking by, and for, yourself? What was the role of education in shaping your thoughts today? Provide examples.

  • Divide the work individually and then discuss together
  • During the tutorial, split in different sides

Assignment group B:

  • Read and watch the assignments of group A, plus:
  • Analyze the following dialogue from Chapter 17 of Brave New World:
    • “We don’t,” said the Controller. “We prefer to do things comfortably.”
    • “But I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.”

Question: Are there some ideas, desires or sins that should be censored in society? Even in a democracy? Find examples and discuss their legitimacy.

  • Divide the work individually and then discuss together
  • During the tutorial, split in two sides: ‘yes’ or ‘no’

Assignment groups C & D:

  • Read and watch the assignments of groups A & B, plus:
  • Read this circular printed during World War I by Charles Schenck (PDF)
  • Watch the presentation of the seminal case Schenck v. United States:

Question: Would you have censored the circular? Outline the stakes and consequences of your position.

  • Divide the work individually and then discuss together
  • During the tutorial, split in two sides: ‘yes’ or ‘no’

 

Session 2 (Nov. 7th)

Assignment:

  • Read Aldous Huxley, Brave New World (the entire novel)
  • Read Chapter 2 of Ash (“Ideals”)

 

Session 3 (Nov. 21st)

Assignment:

  • Read Chapter 6 of Ash (“Religion”)

Presentation:

  • John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, Chapter 2 (PDF)

 

Session 4 (Dec. 5th)

Assignment:

  • Watch the documentary The Merchants of Doubts
  • Read Chapter 5 of Ash (“Diversity”)

Presentation:

  • Matthew d’Ancona, Post Truth, Chapter 2 “You can’t handle the truth! » (PDF)

 

Session 5 (Dec. 12th)

Assignment:

  • Read Chapter 8 of Ash (“Secrecy”)

Presentation:

  • Edward Bernays, Propaganda, Chapter V, « Business and the Public » (PDF)