Communication Currents

Free Speech Week (October 17–23) offers great opportunities for instructors and students to explore the history and importance of freedom of expression. Check out these five links with general information and classroom ideas for this annual event.

1. Free Speech Week 
   Free Speech Week is an annual, non-partisan celebration of the American value of free speech. The website offers ideas for individuals, parents, educators, communities, and organizations alike.
2. FIRE: Foundation for Individual Rights in Education 
   FIRE exists to defend and sustain individual rights, including freedom of speech, at America’s colleges and universities. Learn more about why free speech is important on college campuses, get student activist tips, and find out how to stand up for free speech.
3. Newseum 
   The Newseum, headquartered in Washington, DC, promotes, explains, and defends free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. NewseumED offers free learning tools on media literacy and First Amendment freedoms.  
4. McCormick Foundation 
   The Robert R. McCormick Foundation is committed to fostering communities of educated, informed, and engaged citizens. Check out the foundation’s Tools for Learning, which include conference reports, curricula for teachers, videos, and more.
5. Bill of Rights Institute 
   The Bill of Rights Institute works to help the next generation understand the freedoms and opportunities the Constitution affords. This nonprofit organization offers a variety of Founding Documents of the United States, including full copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution, along with other resources.