First Amendment Rights

Written in plain language, this two-volume encyclopedia is designed to be accessible to high school seniors and up. Volume 1 compiles chapters from other Greenwood references (some revised) on cases and issues common before 2008. This volume begins with an overview of the First Amendment and an overview of issues and controversies in the First Amendment. Later chapters are dedicated to freedom of association, speech, and the press, with several chapters on 20th issues. The volume ends with case briefs from the earliest court decisions through 2008. Volume 2 contains material from sources beyond the publisher's references (mainly law journal articles), focusing on post-2008 cases that explain the application of the First Amendment by the Roberts Court and shed light on the impact of new technology on First Amendment interpretations. Some specific topics under discussion include WikiLeaks and the First Amendment, sexting, student free speech, electronic games, peaceable assembly and the Occupy Movement, and Citizens United and the movement to end the constitutional personhood of corporations. Lind and Rankin are affiliated with Illinois State University. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Nancy S. Lind, PhD, is professor of political science at Illinois State University, Normal, IL.

Erik T. Rankin is assistant to the Department Chair at Illinois State University, Normal, IL.