Mechanics of Democracy for Civic Leadership

Catalog description

Students will examine how democratic systems function (and sometimes falter) at the local, state and national levels. Through a combination of seminar discussions, deliberation exercises, guest speakers and experiential learning opportunities - including field trips to Richmond and Washington, DC, local government meetings and community forums - students will explore the real-world mechanics that civic leaders must navigate to make democracy work. As part of a residential learning community, students will engage in collaborative projects, practice deliberative dialogue in their residence halls and develop the civic skills necessary for meaningful participation in American democracy. By the end of the semester, students will not only understand the machinery of democratic governance but also see themselves as active contributors to its ongoing maintenance and improvement.