The legal censorship of literature is on the rise again. But current efforts have their roots in a range of statutes from the last hundred and fifty years. In this course, we read politically significant literature that was subject to censorship alongside the various legal instruments used to censor them. These include more familiar statues like obscenity and sedition, as well as less likely suspects like libel law, customs agencies, and even blasphemy! If you enjoy fiction and are considering law school, this course is for you!
5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
The legal censorship of literature is on the rise again. But current efforts have their roots in a range of statutes from the last hundred and fifty years. In this course, we read politically significant literature that was subject to censorship alongside the various legal instruments used to censor them. These include more familiar statues like obscenity and sedition, as well as less likely suspects like libel law, customs agencies, and even blasphemy! If you enjoy fiction and are considering law school, this course is for you!
Offered in Autumn 2026 at Stanford University.