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Professional Linkage Seminar (394-LK-20)

Topic

U.S. Democracy in Crisis: Perspectives on the Path

Instructors

Anna Galland

Meeting Info

Scott Hall 201 Ripton Room: Mon 1:00PM - 3:50PM

Overview of class

US democracy is at an inflection point. After a narrow win in the 2024 election, the White House is claiming a maximum mandate: eliminating major governmental functions, deporting immigrants with maximum shock and awe (and ignoring due process requirements in the process), ignoring federal court orders, and using the vast power of the government to intimidate and punish perceived opponents. Some analysts and scholars believe that the U.S. government has now experienced an "authoritarian breakthrough."

In this context, pro-democracy leaders - which includes a wide range of individuals and organizations, not limited to any political party or narrow ideological perspective - are wrestling with a range of questions. These include: What got us here - and how do we dig out? What can we learn about effective anti-authoritarian movement-building from abroad and from the US's own history (including, for instance, the work to overturn racial regimes in the Jim Crow South)? What might civil society do to help execute a "U-Turn" towards an inclusive and just rule-of-law democracy?

This interdisciplinary seminar will engage nationally-prominent guest speakers as we survey a broad landscape of efforts to renew US democracy in a period of accelerating crisis, with particular emphasis on the role of grassroots movements. Students will analyze issues such as polarization, free and fair elections, authoritarian movements, and the roles of media and technology. They will be asked to develop and refine their own theory of which efforts are most constructive in this turbulent time. Students will have opportunities to connect directly with a wide range of important civil society leaders from a range of backgrounds and perspectives, in part to better understand career options in the common good.

Course registration is by Instructor Consent. Please submit your Expression of Interest with this web form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/f0a4c7c01621481a82d9f4ba352d0fce

Registration Requirements

Course registration is by Instructor Consent. Please submit your Expression of Interest with this web form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/f0a4c7c01621481a82d9f4ba352d0fce

Learning Objectives

  • Understand major democratic principles and their current vulnerabilities

  • Analyze the root causes and perpetuating factors behind democratic erosion and crisis

  • Gain insight from active practitioners of political and civic work

  • Evaluate the strategies and impact of pro-democracy movements

  • Conduct original research and analysis on a dimension of our democracy crisis

  • Develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, writing, and public speaking

Teaching Method

Seminar

Evaluation Method

  • Background reading & discussion participation

  • Two short response papers

  • Final paper proposal

  • Final paper

Class Materials (Required)

All materials will be made available online or via Canvas