This course introduces students to issues in theoretical discussions of democracy,
such as the nature of democratic government, its purposes, its justification, its
limitation, and the conditions necessary for its maintenance.  The course will
examine central texts in the literature of democratic theory which may include the
works of Aristotle, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Montesquieu, Rawls, Arrow, Downs, Elster,
and Sen.  Students will study the strategies of argument, analysis, and persuasion
employed by these theorists to justify their central claims, as well as the political
and historical significance of the theories of democracy that their works develop.  
Throughout the course, students will demonstrate their understanding through a
critical examination of arguments developed in the relevant texts; they will learn
theories of democracy, representation, legitimacy, rights, and constitutionalism and
how to evaluate them; they will practice their critical thinking, analytic, and
problem-solving skills; and they will, in their written work and participation in
class discussions, learn to apply these skills to ethical, legal, and political
issues and to problems in the community.  Students may be evaluated based on
examinations, research papers, class participation, presentations, and/or homework.

POSSIBLE TOPICS
Representative Government
Legitimacy
Constitutionalism
Countermajoritarian Democratic Institutions
Rights Theory
Consent Theory
Pluralism
Toleration
Social Contract Theory
Federalism
The Logic of Collective Action
Game Theory
Social Choice Theory
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Adaptive Preferences

All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty."  
Students are responsible for informing themselves about these standards before 
performing academic work.  The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and 
ignorance is not an acceptable defense.  Also note that the course syllabus is a 
general plan for the course and that deviations announced to the class by the 
instructor may be necessary.