Platform Regulation and the First Amendment (7117): Social media platforms are arguably the most important channels of communication in the modern world, but it's not always clear how existing legal frameworks apply to them--not to mention the proliferation of new laws attempting to rein platforms in. This course will explore the changing legal landscape governing platforms, and the role of the First Amendment in either constraining legal changes or being the vehicle through which such changes are made. We will explore topical and live legal issues in the platform regulation space, which may include section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, attempts to impose must-carry and common carrier obligations on platforms to carry certain speech, how the First Amendment constrains government actors on social media, the constitutionality of imposing transparency and due process requirements on platforms' content moderation practices, attempts to restrict minors' access to social media, or efforts to ban certain platforms altogether. Students will complete multiple short reflection papers throughout the quarter. Students may elect to write a substantial research paper for R-credit with instructor permission. Students taking the course for R-credit (Section 02) will receive 3 units. After the term begins, students enrolled in the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructors. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Written Assignments. Interested students are asked to fill out a very short application form, in order to gauge the level of background knowledge the class will have. CONSENT APPLICATION: To access the consent application for this course, go to link SLS Registrar https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/ and then click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page. See application for deadline and instructions.