What is democracy's past, present, and future? The Minor in Democracy Studies equips students with the knowledge, methodological tools, and critical perspectives to tackle this pressing question as intellectuals and as engaged citizens of their community, region, nation, and world. An interdisciplinary minor, this program harnesses the expertise of faculty in several departments to focus student learning on the human experience with democratic governments and societies. Courses in core disciplines of the humanities and social sciences (History, Philosophy, and Political Science) anchor the program. Additional course offerings from other departments enhance and diversify the curriculum.   

Students completing a minor in Democracy Studies learn that democracy has been and remains a capacious, contested concept that encompasses essential yet varied sectors of human experience. They gain an understanding of such classic political topics as voting and elections, political parties and lobbying, and constitutional adjudication and the structure of government. They also engage with an array of other subjects and problems that have defined and animated democratic polities (e.g. civil society and education, media and public opinion, corruption and scandal, dissent and disobedience, justice and equality, political economy and the distribution of wealth, leadership and organization, civil rights and civil liberties). 

Students select from a series of foundational courses that ground them in the history, politics, and ethics of democracy. They then choose from a range of elective courses across varied disciplines to both broaden and deepen their understanding of the democratic experience and its challenges. As a capstone to the minor, students can complete an internship or conduct a research or civic engagement project guided by faculty.