POL 3235W is also offered in Fall 2024
POL 3235W is also offered in Spring 2024
POL 3235W is also offered in Fall 2023
POL 3235W is also offered in Spring 2023
POL 3235W is also offered in Fall 2022
POL 3235W is also offered in Spring 2022
POL 3235W is also offered in Fall 2021
POL 3235W is also offered in Summer 2021
Fall 2024 | POL 3235W Section 001: Democracy and Citizenship (19501)
- Instructor(s)
- Class Component:
- Lecture
- Credits:
- 3 Credits
- Grading Basis:
- Student Option
- Instructor Consent:
- No Special Consent Required
- Instruction Mode:
- In Person
- Class Attributes:
- UMNTC Liberal Education Requirement
- Times and Locations:
- Regular Academic Session09/03/2024 - 12/11/2024Tue, Thu 09:45AM - 11:00AMUMTC, West BankBlegen Hall 155
- Enrollment Status:
- Open (31 of 58 seats filled)
- Also Offered:
- Course Catalog Description:
- This course considers the nature of contemporary democracy and the role that members of the political community do, can, and should play. While approaches in teaching the class vary, students can expect to read historical and contemporary texts, see films and videos, to approach questions about the nature of democracy, justifications for democracy, and challenges faced by contemporary democracy as it relates to racial inequality, immigration, gender inequality, and ecological crises. Topics will include: the centrality of social movements for democracies; deliberative and participatory democracy; as well as questions about how members of political communities can best participate in democratic life to address structural inequalities. Students will write a longer essay that allows them to demonstrate their capacities to understand and explain complex ideas and to make a theoretically compelling argument, using appropriate supporting evidence. prereq: Suggested prerequisite 1201
- Class Notes:
- http://classinfo.umn.edu/?POL3235W+Fall2024
- Class Description:
- Democracy seems to be an intuitively simple concept to many Americans. Americans know what democracy, and the corresponding values of freedom and equality mean because they live under a democratic system of government that guarantees liberty and justice for all, and equality regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. Likewise, Americans know that being a citizen means we have certain rights. (and duties?) When we delve a little deeper into what these concepts mean, however, we discover that this apparent certainty papers over a host of disagreements, divisions, and uncertainties. These complexities have bubbled up to the surface today, as they have historically, through a number of contemporary concerns espoused by the Occupy Movement, the Tea Party Movement, Black Lives Matter, anti-establishment politics, etc.This class helps students to engage in the contemporary problems of democracy, in the United States and beyond, by grounding the conversation in the historical debates of democratic theory. Rather than suggesting any simple answers, our class will instead pose questions with which we, together, must wrestle. What is democracy? How should we understand basic concepts of democracy like freedom, equality, and solidarity? How should we respond when these concepts come into conflict? Is capitalism inherently in conflict with democracy? Working through these questions, we will tack back and forth between theoretical debates and contemporary and historical political problems, gaining a more nuanced understanding of the political stakes behind these questions, as well as a more critical perspective from which to understand the political challenges of this moment in history.
- 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.
- Learning Objectives:
To master a body of knowledge
To critically evaluate
To understand diverse philosophies
To understand the role of creativity, innovation, discovery, and expression across disciplines
To acquire the skills for effective citizenship and life-long learning
To communicate effectively
- Grading:
A combination of essays, exams and attendance.
- Workload:
- approximatley 40 pages of reading per class
- Textbooks:
- https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/19501/1249
- Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
- 1 November 2023
ClassInfo Links - Fall 2024 Political Science Classes
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