In this course, we will seek to describe, and to think critically about, contemporary issues affecting democracy as it is put into practice throughout the Western world. In order to come to terms with these issues, we will seek to ground our understanding of democratic practices in various cultural, social, political, and scientific contexts. Topics to be discussed may include, but are not limited to, the following:

- national security and the question of digital surveillance technologies

- human migrations and the question of border control

- terrorism

- national identity as concerns cultural institutions of various kinds

- environmental justice

- economic policy

- digital data creation and cybersecurity