The Democratic Process

Catalog description

Students in this course will explore democratic processes at the local, national, and international levels. This course will challenge students to define what a democracy is, and what cultural and political developments make democracy possible. It will give students the chance to reflect on their own responsibilities as citizens, and to put their insights into practice as they work as part of a team to advocate for a particular issue or position of their choosing. Applied real-world opportunities: In groups, students will choose a local or state issue that is important to them. With the guidance of the instructor, they will design a plan to advocate for a particular position. Possible activities could include participating in a political campaign, mounting a petitioning campaign, or lobbying local or state lawmakers. At the conclusion of the project, students will reflect on what effect their participation in the democratic decision-making process had.