Middlebury

INTD 1238

The Future of U.S. Democracy

The Future of U.S. Democracy
America’s democracy faces greater challenges to its functionality, legitimacy, and perhaps continuity than at any time since the Civil War. Anti-racism protests confront entrenched institutions, systemic racism, and legacies of the past. Populist leaders upend longstanding democratic norms and disparage democracy’s foundations. The pandemic threatens public health and the economy. Candidates contest the validity of election procedures, parties engage in voter suppression and disenfranchisement, and conspiracy theories—spread via social media—erode trust. Meanwhile, foreign actors exploit the same social media to sow disinformation and aid candidates of their choice. In this course we consider each of these challenges and debate whether and how they are changing democracy in America. (Pass/Fail)
Subject:
Interdepartmental
Department:
Interdepartmental
Division:
Interdisciplinary
Requirements Fulfilled:
AMR NOR SOC WTR

Sections in Winter 2021

Winter 2021

INTD1238A-W21 Lecture (Johnson, Douglas, Nelson, Williams)
INTD1238S-W21 Discussion (Williams)
INTD1238T-W21 Discussion (Williams)
INTD1238U-W21 Discussion (Johnson)
INTD1238V-W21 Discussion (Johnson)
INTD1238W-W21 Discussion (Douglas)
INTD1238X-W21 Discussion (Douglas)
INTD1238Y-W21 Discussion (Nelson)
INTD1238Z-W21 Discussion (Nelson)