Democracy: Ancient and Modern

This course explores democracy from its Athenian origins to its American present. Does modern democracy fulfill ancient democracy's ideals, or depart from them? And what can the world's first democracy teach us about civic life today? Through engaging case studies, students investigate democracy's challenges and promises--and consider what it asks of citizens now. Topics may include freedom, equality, and rights; democratic institutions; citizenship; rhetoric; leadership, democratic knowledge, and decision-making; foreign policy; tyranny and corruption; religion; and hope.