Fall 2018  |  POL 3235W Section 001: Democracy and Citizenship (33540)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
Student Option
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person Term Based
Class Attributes:
UMNTC Liberal Education Requirement
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
09/04/2018 - 12/12/2018
Tue, Thu 09:45AM - 11:00AM
UMTC, West Bank
Blegen Hall 155
Enrollment Status:
Closed (56 of 59 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
Democracy based on individual rights. Pluralism. Civic republicanism. Community activism. Dilemmas of democratic government/citizenship in race, class, gender-stratified society.
Class Notes:
http://classinfo.umn.edu/?jctronto+POL3235W+Fall2018
Class Description:
We will begin by reading classic historical texts: some of the founding US documents and Tocqueville's Democracy in America. We will then bring the issues raised by these texts to bear on contemporary political questions. For example, we will consider such questions as: how important is "equality" in a democracy? What kinds of changes are needed for contemporary democracy to respond to the needs of today's citizens in the information age? For example, is there enough "public space" for democracy? Should the US Constitution or system of representation be changed? What do movements such as "The Tea Party," "Occupy" or "Black Lives Matter" teach us? Students will read historical and contemporary texts, reflect upon these issues and share their learning to reflect upon the meaning of being a citizen in a democracy.
Who Should Take This Class?:
Any student is welcome to take this course, whether a political science major or not. The questions we deal with are issues affecting all students, and we will work to connect contemporary issues with theoretical and historical texts in a way that is both rigorous enough to engage majors while being accessible to those without a background in political science.
Grading:
33% Final Exam
60% Reports/Papers
6% Class Participation Other Grading Information: Students whose work improves over the semester will receive a higher grade than a mere average would indicate
Exam Format:
Final will consist of several essays; the questions will be available in advance.
Class Format:
50% Lecture
50% Small Group Activities and class discussion
Workload:
80-120 Pages Reading Per Week
20 Pages Writing Per Term
1 Exam(s)
2 Paper(s)
Students are expected to spend 2 hours outside of class for each hour of class instruction. Please buy the specific editions of assigned texts in book form
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/33540/1189
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
20 March 2017

ClassInfo Links - Fall 2018 Political Science Classes

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