Revolutionary Origins of the First Amendment

Deadline September 22, 2026
Modality Online
Tuition $600
Next Start Date September 30, 2026

Course Description

Free speech, a free press, religious liberty: We Americans cherish few freedoms more devoutly, and debate few more fiercely. A Constitutional provision designed to set the young United States apart from British monarchy, the First Amendment now is called upon to guide us through such 21st century moral minefields as cancel culture, social media moderation, ICE protests and Christian nationalism. But what, exactly, does the First Amendment actually guarantee? And how should that apply today?

Led by journalist and media instructor Eric Schurenberg, this course returns to the Enlightenment thinking that gave birth to the First Amendment during the American Revolution and then traces its evolution through the political power struggles and cultural earthquakes that have shaped it since. We’ll also consider the contemporary pressures that challenge us to imagine how the First Amendment could evolve in the future.

Through live conversations with leading scholars, authors, and advocates, students will examine First Amendment freedoms from a range of historical, legal, and contemporary perspectives. These discussions will offer firsthand insight into the questions shaping current debates while giving students the opportunity to engage directly with experts and challenge their ideas. Featured speakers will include:

Stephen D. Solomon, Marjorie Deane Professor of Journalism at New York University and founding editor of First Amendment Watch
Geoffrey R. Stone, Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor of Law at the University of Chicago
Genevieve Lakier, Professor of Law at the University of Chicago
Renée DiResta, Associate Research Professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy
Bruce D. Brown, President of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Required Texts

Required texts:

Revolutionary Dissent: ISBN 978-1466879393

Soul of the First Amendment: ISBN 978-0300190885

Invisible Rulers: ISBN 978-1541703391

Available Course Sections

Date & Time

Details

Modality

This has been so valuable to me. The instructors are truly committed; you make new friends and get new views. It’s been a real plus in my life.
Virginia Tobiason CER’02 (Basic Program)

I enjoy the interplay of the classmates and the instructors. We bring up points, we have disagreements, and we learn from each other, and the learning just goes on and on—and it makes you feel younger.
Walt Kurczewski CER’10 (Basic Program)

In our increasingly siloed, stridently opinionated world, Graham’s commitment to encouraging civil discourse and attracting students of distinct and varied backgrounds and viewpoints has made the classes I’ve taken revelatory.
Gary Shapiro CER ‘19

The Graham School has been a wonderful addition to my life. It is a great privilege to read and spend time with my fellow students. The Graham School faculty are all varied and excellent in different ways. What they share in common is their great breadth of knowledge and their generosity as teachers.
Trish Gerber CER’12 (Basic Program)

There’s nothing better than to read with a group of people and share in rational discourse about great ideas, and it’s even better to do it with an instructor as your guide in the conversation.
Jeffrey Dougherty CER ’23 (Basic Program)

What I love most about teaching at the Graham School is that it is like eating at the chef's table: there are no barriers between students and instructors. We are all peers, indeed, friends learning alongside each other.
Jennifer Lind MLA’22, Graham School instructor

Frequently Asked Questions

Review common questions about our courses. You can also contact us for more information.

Do we take assessments in these courses?

Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.

How can I best prepare for class?

Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works: How to Read Classic Texts. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.

Do I have to complete an application?

Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.

Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?

Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.

UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions? 

Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.

What happens if I have to miss a class?

Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.

What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?

You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues here. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.

Will this course be offered online or in person?

The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.

What happens if I miss a class?

While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered. In-person classes are not recorded.

I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?

If you need to drop a course, please email us at graham@learningplatform.support to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.

Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.

How do I access my course after registration?

Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date. You’ll log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out our helpful video tutorial.

I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?

If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our registration tips page. You can also email our support team at graham@learningplatform.support. You will receive a response within 24 hours.

Where have Graham School programs been featured?

Graham School programs have received national and international attention, with coverage in Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, The Atlantic, and other leading publications.