Course Meeting Times
Lectures and discussions: 2 sessions / week; 1.5 hours / session
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Course Summary
A commitment to free speech and toleration is among the defining features of modern liberal democracies. This commitment, however, is a relatively recent phenomenon, and continues to be contentious on both the political left and the political right. To better understand the values of free speech and toleration, we need to understand the historical context in which those values emerged, the philosophical arguments that were made on their behalf, and the arguments that were and continue to be made against them. Among arguments against free speech to be considered are those that appeal to the dangers of hate speech and of pornography, and to the value of pursuing social justice. The subject will also examine free speech on contemporary college campuses.
Note: You are not expected to take any particular positions on the topics we will be discussing. You are expected, however, to argue cogently for your views.
Subject Requirements
This class qualifies as a CI-M (communication intensive in the major) subject.
Grading Policy
| ACTIVITIES | PERCENTAGES |
|---|---|
| Participation in class discussions | 10% |
| First essay (1500 words} | 15% |
| Revision of first essay | 15% |
| In-class debate | 15% |
| Second essay (1500 words) | 20% |
| Final essay (2000 words) | 25% |
For detail on the activities listed above, see the Assignments section.
In-Class Questions
We will post on the class website some questions about the reading a few days before each class. These will be used to start discussion. Students may be called on randomly to answer some of these questions, so come prepared!
MIT Writing and Communication Center (WCC)
The WCC offers free one-on-one professional advice from communication specialists with advanced degrees and publishing experience. The WCC can help you learn about all types of academic and professional writing and further develop your oral communication skills.
Policy on Generative AI
We expect that all work students submit for this course will be their own. The use of ChatGPT or any other generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools at any stages of the work process, including preliminary ones, is forbidden. Violations of this policy will be considered academic misconduct. Please note that different classes at MIT may implement different AI policies, and it is your responsibility to conform to the expectations for each course.
