High School 

Daily Course Objective: 

Students will understand the historical origins and core principles of the First Amendment, distinguishing between protected and unprotected speech, and begin exploring how these apply to modern misinformation, while sharpening critical thinking through analyzing historical context and legal vocabulary.


Day 1: Foundations of the First Amendment and Freedom of Speech

Daily Course Objective: 

Students will examine unprotected speech categories like incitement and fighting words, analyzing how they intersect with online misinformation that could lead to harm, using analytical thinking to assess case scenarios and mastering relevant legal terms.


Day 2: Limits on Speech - Incitement and Fighting Words

Daily Course Objective: 

Students will explore defamation laws as limits on speech, focusing on how they apply to online fake news, including standards for public figures, while enhancing critical thinking through case evaluations and building legal vocabulary proficiency.

 Day 3: Defamation, Libel, and Misinformation

Daily Course Objective: Students will investigate First Amendment applications to online platforms, including immunity under Section 230 and challenges from misinformation, developing analytical skills through debates on platform liability and expanding legal terminology knowledge.

 Day 4: Online Speech, Social Media, and Section 230

Daily Course Objective: 

Students will apply concepts to recent cases involving online misinformation, debating future legal reforms and ethical considerations, while refining critical and analytical thinking skills through discussions and solidifying mastery of legal vocabulary.

 Day 5: Current Cases and Future Implications of Misinformation

Overall Course ObjectiveBy the end of this 5-day lesson series, students will be able to critically analyze the First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech in the digital age, evaluate legal boundaries such as defamation and incitement in the context of online misinformation and "fake news," and apply these concepts to real-world scenarios through interactive discussions, case studies, and assessments, mirroring the Socratic method used in first-year law school classes.Students will also develop critical thinking and analytical thinking skills, enhancing their ability to evaluate complex legal issues, and build proficiency in legal vocabulary skills to articulate and interpret constitutional concepts accurately.&nbsp;Day 1: Foundations of the First Amendment and Freedom of SpeechDaily Course Objective: Students will understand the historical origins and core principles of the First Amendment, distinguishing between protected and unprotected speech, and begin exploring how these apply to modern misinformation, while sharpening critical thinking through analyzing historical context and legal vocabulary.&nbsp;Day 2: Limits on Speech - Incitement and Fighting WordsDaily Course Objective: Students will examine unprotected speech categories like incitement and fighting words, analyzing how they intersect with online misinformation that could lead to harm, using analytical thinking to assess case scenarios and mastering relevant legal terms.&nbsp;Day 3: Defamation, Libel, and MisinformationDaily Course Objective: Students will explore defamation laws as limits on speech, focusing on how they apply to online fake news, including standards for public figures, while enhancing critical thinking through case evaluations and building legal vocabulary proficiency.&nbsp;Day 4: Online Speech, Social Media, and Section 230Daily Course Objective: Students will investigate First Amendment applications to online platforms, including immunity under Section 230 and challenges from misinformation, developing analytical skills through debates on platform liability and expanding legal terminology knowledge.&nbsp;Day 5: Current Cases and Future Implications of MisinformationDaily Course Objective: Students will apply concepts to recent cases involving online misinformation, debating future legal reforms and ethical considerations, while refining critical and analytical thinking skills through discussions and solidifying mastery of legal vocabulary.&nbsp;

Winter Classes: 

12/15/2025 - 12/19/2025
11:00 am  - 12:00 pm  (Est)

This 5-day high school law elective immerses students in the complexities of First Amendment rights amid online misinformation and "fake news." 

Winter- High School - First Amendment and Freedom of Speech in the Digital Age - FULL

Cassandre Agahro

Course Details

Course content