Students from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications spent five days visiting monuments and attractions in Washington, D.C. The 20 students were in John Bender’s freshman honors seminar in freedom of expression.
During the fall semester, the class studied several issues about freedom of expression. They looked at tension between free expression and national security, the debate over pornography, what limits may be imposed on hate speech and freedom of expression for high school and college students.
“Much of the [class] discussion focused on court cases, many of which were decided by the U.S. Supreme Court and many of which involved federal statutes or executive branch regulations,” Bender said. “Seeing Washington and visiting places associated with each of the branches of government reinforces the ideas the students considered and helps them appreciate how the three branches of government interact and balance each other.”
Students were able to visit the places where history was made.
“In class, we talked a lot about controversial court cases throughout the history of the U.S.,” said Libby Seline, a student on the trip. “So, it was really cool to be in the places where these court cases took place and to be in a place where so much history has been made.”
The students visited the White House, the Capitol Building, Ford’s Theatre, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Holocaust Museum and the Newseum. They also visited The Washington Post and spoke with CoJMC alumnae, Kelly Johnson and Jenna Johnson.
“My favorite part of the trip was going to the Washington Post,” Seline said. “I couldn't help but feel a bit giddy when we walked in the building because I knew so many stories had been written here, and these reporters have my dream job. We met three Washington Post reporters, including one UNL alum and one recent Pulitzer winner. It was a really cool experience, and I don't know if I will ever experience something like that again.”
The trip was meant to show students the importance of freedom of expression and the right of the people to express their opinions about the government.
“The constitutional system we have makes government accountable to the people, but that accountability exists only so long as the people are aware of and can discuss what government is doing,” Bender said. “The Newseum has a magnificent collection of artifacts and activities associated with the media generally and freedom of expression in particular. I think it does the most of any of the stops to reinforce the idea that the freedoms we enjoy are the product of effort and sacrifice by many people in many places and times.”