James C. Foster is a professor emeritus of political science at Oregon State University-Cascades. His teaching focused on constitutional law, administrative law, gender and law, and American political thought. He published articles on legal education, book chapters on affirmative action and equality debates and papers on the Oregon Judicial Branch. He is the co-editor of the book Governing Through Courts and co-author of the two-volume Constitutional Law: Cases in Context.
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Brockett v. Spokane Arcades, Inc. (1985)
Brockett v. Spokane Arcades, Inc. (1985) upheld a law concerning lewd films and gave a First Amendment clarification of the 'prurient interest' prong of the Miller test.
Edward Murrow
Edward R. Murrow was one of the creators of American broadcast journalism. Murrow inspired other journalists to defend and perpetuate the First Amendment rights.
Fred Friendly
Fred W. Friendly, an early innovator of broadcast journalism, was also known for his seminars on the media and public issues and for his writings on the First Amendment.
Hustler Magazine v. Falwell (1988)
In Hustler Magazine v. Falwell, the Court ruled that the First Amendment protects publishers’ rights from claims by public figures regarding materials labeled as parodies.
Liles v. Oregon (1976)
In Liles v. Oregon (1976), which raised First Amendment obscenity issues, the Court denied a writ of certiorari. A dissent by Justice Brennan involved the analysis of obscenity.
Lloyd Corporation, Ltd. v. Tanner (1972)
Lloyd Corporation, Ltd. v. Tanner (1972) said that a shopping mall is private property and people do not have a First Amendment right to stage protests there.
Near v. Minnesota (1931)
Near v. Minnesota (1931) fashioned the First Amendment doctrine opposing prior restraint and reaffirmed that the incorporation of the First Amendment.
Pennsylvania v. Nelson(1956)
Pennsylvania v. Nelson (1956) addresses federal preemption and illustrates how the Court protected civil liberties such as the First Amendment during the era of McCarthyism
Scopes Monkey Trial
Although Tennessee upheld a law prohibiting the teaching of evolution after the Scopes Monkey Trial, the Supreme Court later said a similar law violated the First Amendment.
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) addressed the First Amendment right of free exercise of religion in allowing parents to withdraw their children from school for religious reasons.