Democracy and its Discontents
CLST 255
Spring 2025
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01
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Today we are confronting enormous questions about democracy: how it is defined, how it is practiced, and, in some places, whether it can survive. Such questions, however, are not new. From its inception in ancient Athens through centuries of political development, democracy has drawn both fervent support and intense criticism. In this class we will read a selection of ancient and modern sources as a basis for our discussion of fundamental issues such as participation vs. representation, citizenship and civic responsibility, and the tension between private and public interests.
Readings will include selections from ancient sources such as Herodotus, Thucydides, Plato and Aristotle and modern scholars such as Paul Cartledge, Melissa Lane, Josiah Ober and Kurt Raaflaub. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA CLST |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CLST-History, P) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
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