First Amendment: Examples and Explanations by Laura E. Little

This book, available through the Wolters Kluwer study aid subscription, covers all of the First Amendment’s major topics – with emphasis on speech and religion. The topics covered include a comprehensive review of the most recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on speech, association, and religion as well as cutting edge issues raised by current events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. While providing deep coverage of abstract concepts, the book includes many practical introductions to law practice reality. Figures, examples, explanations, and varying difficulty in the presented material ensure that the book will serve the needs of a variety of users and will appeal to different learning styles.

First Amendment Stories by Richard W. Garnett; Andrew Koppelman

First Amendment Stories, available through the West Academic study aid subscription, goes behind the scenes of landmark, foundational cases involving the fundamental freedoms of speech, religion, and the press. By filling in the details, setting the stage, and presenting fully the context, the text provides readers with a richer understanding of these cases, the people involved in them, and their implications for the future. Considered together, these stories highlight the leading themes and questions that have animated our legal doctrines, and our public conversations, about the conflicts that arise between the power and goals of government, on the one hand, and the liberty and conscience of the individual, on the other. This Stories title will enrich First Amendment courses and help students appreciate the premises that animate the cases and the values that are at stake in religious-liberty and free-speech controversies, rarely captured fully by doctrinal presentations. This collection offers carefully selected and rich cases that involve real stories, which can themselves serve as points-of-entry to the many great, ongoing debates that run through our free-speech and religious-liberty traditions.

Understanding the First Amendment by Russell L. Weaver

This text, available through the LexisNexis Digital Library study aid subscription, covers the origins and nature of the First Amendment, speech advocating violent or illegal action, content regulation of speech, limited protection of speech, content neutrality of speech, freedom of association and compelled expression, media and the first amendment, the Establishment Clause, and the Free Exercise Clause. The beginning of each chapter highlights key points of coverage. The end of each chapter indicates essential points to remember. The seventh edition covers all of the recent relevant decisions, including Iancu v. Brunetti; Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck; Matal v. Tam; The American Legion v. American Humanist Assocation; National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra; Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky; Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. V. Colorado Civil Rights Commission; Expressions Hair Design v. Schneiderman; Packingham v. North Carolina; and Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer.

Featured Guide

Banned Books Week Guide
Get more information on banned books in this guide, including some of the cases that made it to the courts and highlighting the issue of banned books in prison settings.

Featured Videos

Banned Books Week YouTube Channel

Featured Treatise

Smolla and Nimmer on Freedom of Speech
Smolla & Nimmer on Freedom of Speech, available on Westlaw, provides in-depth coverage and expert analysis of free speech and free press First Amendment issues, including history, theory, doctrine, and insights into cases and decisions. Includes cross-references within the text and in footnotes, which contain full citations and parallel citations to other materials.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Artist: Ms. Eliana De León, Hispanic Employment Program Manager at the Environmental Protection Agency

Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15 and celebrates the contributions and importance of Hispanics and Latinos to the United States and those American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. This year’s theme is “Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.” Below are resources to help recognize the contributions and importance of LatinX people to the United States.

5 LatinX Resources to Explore Hispanic Heritage

A Latinx Resource Guide: Civil Rights Cases and Events in the United States

This Hispanic Reading Room research guide from the Library of Congress focuses on 20th and 21st century American court cases, legislation, and events that had important impacts on civil rights in Chicana/o/x, Hispanic, Latina/o/x, Mexican-American and Puerto Rican communities.

ABA Diversity and Inclusion Center, Celebrate Hispanic/Latino/a/x Heritage Month Honoring Activists and Legal Trailblazers (2021)

This PDF by the ABA Diversity and Inclusion Center highlights LatinX legal trailblazers and activists.

ABA Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights & Responsibilities, The Hispanic LGBTQ+ Community – One Year After Bostock

While Hispanics comprise the largest minority segment of the LGBTQ+ population in the United States, they often face unique challenges coming out to their families, reconciling their faith, and experiencing discrimination in employment and other basic programs and services. Last year, the Supreme Court decided a trio of Title VII cases that banned employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In this program, panelists will share their personal stories, summarize this historic decision, and discuss its ramifications, especially regarding the intersectional issues facing Hispanic LGBTQ+ individuals. Panelists will also offer best practices to better ensure fairness and dignity across the country.

ABA Wide 21-Day Hispanic Heritage Equity Habit Building Challenge

The ABA Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council is proud to launch a 21-Day Hispanic Heritage Equity Habit Building Challenge syllabus in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The goal of the Challenge is to assist each of us to become more aware, compassionate, constructive, engaged people in the quest for equity, and specifically to learn more about the Hispanic Heritage, and many communities included under the “Hispanic umbrella.” It transcends our roles as lawyers. Non-lawyers are also welcome to participate.

National Archives, Hispanic / Latino Heritage

Resources from the National Archives featuring collections on Arts, Entertainment & Culture, Diplomacy/Foreign Affairs, Education and Civil Rights, Family History Research, Government and Politics, Immigration / Hispanic Society in the US, Labor, Military and Veterans, Notable Hispanics in the US, and Women.

University of Cincinnati Events to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 27 – October 1, 2021

Pulsera Project

11:00am – 4:00pm
Main Street

September 30, 2021

Be Historic Lunch & Learn: “What’s the Difference Between Latinx and Hispanic Cultures?”

Be Historic is excited to host a Lunch and Learn to discuss the difference between the Latinx and Hispanic cultures. Please join us to celebrate together the rich culture and history captured during Hispanic Heritage Month!

12:00pm – 1:15pm
Registration Link

October 1 2021

Defining Latinx: Nuestras Historias (Our Stories) panel presentation

An in-person panel that will include the sharing of immigrant stories from students (especially, but not limited to, Latinx students) followed by discussion. Please use this form to submit your story (anonymously if you wish) so that it can be read at the panel! Please note that while this event will be held in person in Walters 100, there will be an opportunity to view the event via Zoom (and livestream) if you are unable to attend the event in person. However you attend, we look forward to seeing you there. RSVP strongly encouraged.

11:30am – 12:30pm
UC Blue Ash
Walters Hall room 100
9555 Plainfield Road Walters 100, Cincinnati, OH