EC104: Legal Environment of Business   Tags: block 1, course guide, economics, legal  

Economics and Business Department

economics@coloradocollege.edu

Palmer Hall

• 14 E. Cache la Poudre St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903
• Phone: 719-389-6407
• Fax 719-389-6927

Faculty and Staff

Course catalog search

Majors:

• Economics
• International Political Economy
• Mathematical Economics

Thesis

Senior Thesis Information - templates, examples, styles

Econ Thesis Submission Form

Texas v. Johnson

      The Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson (1989), extended the First Amendment rights to protect symbolic speech.
During a political demonstration for the Republican National Convention in Texas, Gregory Lee Johnson set the American flag on fire. No one was injured or in immediate danger by his demonstration, but many witnesses were offended and Johnson was charged and convicted for desecration of a venerated object.

     The Supreme Court overruled the Texas Penal Code violation, and decided Johnson’s demonstration was a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.

Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act

     The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, more commonly called the Hate Crimes Act or Matthew Shepard Act, was passed in October 2009. The law was enacted in response to two brutal bias-motivated crimes. Matthew Shepard was tortured and killed because the killers believed he was gay. James Byrd, Jr., an African American man, was dragged behind a truck and eventually decapitated by white supremacists.

     Federal authorities were unable to prosecute either of these horrendous crimes under existing law. This Act expanded the 1969 Federal Hate Crime Law to cover these and other types of brutal murders.

Circulation Desk, x6184

Reference Desk, x6662

Library Liaisons by Department

Interlibrary Loan, x6664

Writing Center, x6742