Future of the First Amendment - by Kenneth Dautrich & David A Yalof & Mark Hugo Lopez (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Future of the First Amendment documents and explores the ramifications of First Amendment education and student media activities-both traditional and digital-on student support for free expression rights.

Book Synopsis

The Future of the First Amendment documents and explores the ramifications of First Amendment education and student media activities-both traditional and digital-on student support for free expression rights.

Review Quotes

The Future of the First Amendment makes a tremendously powerful case for renewed attention to the media literacy skills of our nation's young people. Freedom of expression sits at the base of our democracy; without the skills to discern meaning from messages, justice and liberty are threatened.

The Future of the First Amendment should quickly become a primary guide for educators committed to reviving the civic mission of schools. Building on landmark research sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the book moves beyond sounding alarms to offer practical advice on how appreciation of free expression rights can be fostered in our nation's schools. Nurturing such appreciation is vital to the continued health of our Constitution.

The authors provide a clarion call to people interested in the future of our liberty. The appendices are eye-opening (they contain the results of surveys as well as the surveys themselves). Highly recommended.

This book is alarming because it shows that the freedom of expression is as vulnerable to atrophy and ignorance today as it ever was. But it is also a hopeful book in that the authors show that there are effective things we can do to promote constitutional understanding and patriotism among young Americans. And so we should.

About the Author

Kenneth Dautrich is associate professor of public policy at the University of Connecticut and senior partner at Validata Research and Consulting.
David A. Yalof is associate professor of political science and director of curriculum development and assessment at the University of Connecticut.
Mark Hugo Lopez is research assistant professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland.