This text explores the wide variety of doctrines set forth in case law as well as the philosophical foundations of First Amendment law. Illusrative of the topics covered is the increasing protection given to commercial speech even when government has found such speech to be sufficently harmful to merit regulation. Other examples include the diminshing protection given to the speech of government employees when that speech is undertaken in the line of duty. Included also is the continuing debate between separationists and accomodationists on the Supreme Court in the area of freedom of religion. In short, a wide range of contemporary First Amendment law issues are covered in the book.