Freedom Of (And From) Religion

This course explores the constitutional foundations and evolving legal landscape of religious freedom in the United States, focusing on the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and its twin protections: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. Participants will examine the historical origins of religious liberty, the principle of separation of church and state, and the enduring tension between government neutrality and individual religious expression. Through analysis of landmark decisions from the Supreme Court of the United States, the course addresses how courts define “religion,” balance competing constitutional interests, and navigate controversial issues such as prayer in public schools, religious exemptions to generally applicable laws, and government interaction with religious institutions. The course also reviews the impact of key statutes like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and recent jurisprudential shifts that may reshape Establishment Clause analysis. Designed for both legal practitioners and informed citizens, this course provides a practical and conceptual framework for understanding religious liberty in modern constitutional law.