Free Speech and Responsibility
Free Speech and Responsibility
Purpose: to help other instructors teaching the same course
Common Course ID: HCOM 310
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait
Abstract: This affordable learning resource is being utilized in a HCOM 310 course for undergraduate students by Professor Patrick Belanger at California State University Monterey Bay. The affordable resources chosenfor this course provides students access to: 1) a zero–cost scholarly textbook that offers a comprehensive overview of the legal dynamics of free speech rights in the US, 2) a Libretexts digital chapter on the first amendment, and 3) several high-quality online compilations of past and present free speech case studies from the US and broader global contexts. The main motivation to adopt affordable resources is to make student learning more accessible. Students can access these OER resources online and through the CSUMB library website.
Course Title and Number - Free Speech and Responsibility - HCOM 310
Description: Surveys the history of free speech in the United States; examines past and present controversies such as obscenity, hate speech, and media sensationalism; identifies, evaluates, and assesses rights and responsibilities surrounding the freedom of expression from various philosophical perspectives. https://catalog.csumb.edu/search_advanced.php?cur_cat_oid=12&ecpage=1&cpage=1&ppage=1&pcpage=1&spage=1&tpage=1&search_database=Search&filter%5Bkeyword%5D=HCOM+310&filter%5B3%5D=1&filter%5B31%5D=1
Assigned Textbook (optional): Tedford, T, and Herbeck, D., Freedom of speech in the U.S., Strata, 2024
Student population: This course is primarily for third or fourth year HCOM majors. Most HCOM majors take the course as it meets MLO 1 (ethical and effective communication).
Learning or student outcomes: MLO 1, Ethical and Effective Communication
Challenges and Solutions: The key challenge was identifying a scholarly introduction to the issue of free speech in the US, and then locating online sources that provide relevant case studies.
Textbook or OER/Low-cost Title:
Brief Description:
1. Scholarly textbook that offers a comprehensive overview of the legal dynamics of free speech rights in the US.
2. A Libretexts OER overview of the legal complexities that underlie free speech rights in the US.
3. High-quality online compilations of past and present free-speech case studies from the US and broader global contexts.
- Tedford, T, and Herbeck, D., Freedom of speech in the U.S. (9th edition), Strata, 2024
- Libretexts book, Constitutional Law (Lumen). 2026
- Online resources:
2. Book: https://biz.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Constitutional_Law/Constitutional_Law_(Lumen)
Student access: Students will access the above resources online, and via the CSUMB library website.
Provide the cost savings from that of a traditional textbook. Approximately $105 per student.
License*:
OER/Low Cost Adoption Process
Provide an explanation or what motivated you to use this textbook or OER/Low Cost option. My primary motivations are to save students money, and also add additional, relevant case studies to illustrate course concepts.
How did you find and select the open textbook for this course?I created a set of modules to support student learning, and worked with CSUMB librarians to provide free access to three scholarly sources.
Sharing Best Practices: The CSUMB librarians were exceptionally helpful, and I suggest that other faculty ask about the possibility of finding textbook licenses so that students can access books for free via the library website.
Describe any key challenges you experienced, how they were resolved and lessons learned. The process of creating new modules to support student learning was time-consuming, however, these sources can be used many times again in future courses.
Instructor Name - Patrick Belanger, Professor at California State University Monterey Bay. 
Please provide a link to your university page.
https://researchprofiles.csumb.edu/en/persons/patrick-belanger
Please describe the courses/course numbers that you teach. I teach courses in the areas of media, culture, and ethics. I teach a set of classes that include: critical thinking & ethics, free speech & responsibility, environmental philosophy & communication, communication in everyday life, interracial communication, restorative justice, and multicultural conflict resolution.
Describe your teaching philosophy and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching. To create a welcoming learning environment for all, at the start of each course I introduce five core principles and practices: 1) kindness and respect (I engage students as motivated adults), 2) transparency (we collectively agree on objectives and methods), 3) a discussion-focused classroom environment (we commit to shared readings and norms of interaction), 4) research and writing (our central focus is the creation of theoretically-informed written work), and 5) collaborative group work, including multi-step peer review. My ultimate aim is to enhance students’ abilities to interpret and write with fluidity and nuance. I have found that two specific strategies tend to inspire motivation. First, I employ real-world examples to illustrate abstract theories. Second, I encourage students to research topics that align with their personal interests and/or experiences.