This course examines major problems that arise in theoretical discussions of
democracy relating to issues concerning 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,
independent research projects, presentations, class participation, and/or homework.

POSSIBLE TOPICS
Representative Government
Legitimacy
Constitutionalism
Constitutional Law
Legal Reasoning and Interpretation
Rights Theory
Countermajoritarian Democratic Institutions
Consent Theory
Social Contract Theory
Pluralism
Toleration
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.  (www.uga.edu/ovpi/academic_honesty/academic_honesty.htm).