Instructor: Kevin Ramsey

Email: kramsey@u.washington.edu

Office: UW1-342
Office phone: 425-352-5450 (email is preferred)

Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm
(or after class by appointment)

Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:45 – 7:50pm

Building UW2, room 141 

This course will introduce and explore how the notion of democracy is theorized and practiced in contemporary societies. Key question we will explore include: What is democracy and why should we want it? Can democracy exist in the context of persistent social and economic inequality? What is (or should be) the role of citizens in democratic governance? In this course we will learn about different political ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and communitarianism. We will also examine some different models of democratic theory and practice these ideologies motivate. Finally, we will explore how these ideas have shaped our political and social institutions, our understandings of these institutions, and our own relationship to them. Specific attention will be given to democracy in local governance, with case study examples from both the Seattle area and around the globe.

A successful student in this course will be able to:

• Describe the notion of political ideology and the ways in which different ideologies shape how people experience and make sense of society, politics, and democracy.
• Compare and analyze the distinctions between some of the major political ideas and ideologies that have influenced human history from the Enlightenment to the present, including liberalism, conservativism, socialism, and communitarianism.
• Examine a political dispute or effort to improve local democracy and compare it to the concepts and theories discussed in class.
• Evaluate and explain the social and political implications of your analysis.
• Develop and articulate arguments that draw upon evidence and judge among different political perspectives.

E-reserve for course readings

Course discussion areas, syllabus,  and other materials are available on the BIS362 Blackboard website. Check out these instructions for using Blackboard if you are not familiar with how to access this course in Blackboard.