American Publics

Americans worry about the quality of their civic life and fear its decline. This junior seminar examines an important concept, the public sphere, in its popular and political dimensions as well as the challenges to the boundaries of American public life. Who is a citizen and thus eligible to participate? The course pays particular attention to concerns about the impact of new media--print, broadcasting, the internet. Assignments will take students into the community to think about social, cultural, and political publics. Not open to first year students or sophomores. Enrollment limited to 20.