American Civics & Feminism

Catalog description

From its founding the organizing structure of the United States has been its constitution. This document was written by white men who were property owners and therefore representative of the prevailing elite interests. Within this context democracy has historically given a disproportionate advantage to those who are most closely aligned with the interests of the “Founding Fathers.” Increasingly, this model of deliberative democracy has led participants to define their self interests as universal rather than subsume those interests for the sake of greater good of all community members. This class will examine the basics of the civic structure in the United States and explore how feminist theories and praxis might reimagine a more representative democracy. Offered: semester varies.