| Title: | Direct Democracy |
|---|---|
| Course Section Number: | PSC-310-01 |
| Department: | Political Science |
| Description: | This year, citizens in three U.S. states are voting on whether to establish a right to abortion, while in a fourth they're voting on removing abortion rights from their state constitution. In five other states, voters are being asked to decide criminal justice policies - including the penalty for selling fentanyl; which crimes should and shouldn't be eligible for bail; and whether those convicted of trafficking minors should face life in prison. In yet other states, voters are weighing in on housing policy, taxation, and whether students should be required to provide medical verification of biological sex to participate in sports. Should decisions like this be placed in the hands of everyday citizens, or should they only be made by elected representatives? What are the consequences when public policy is decided by voters directly? This course is designed to prepare you to answer these questions well. Through readings, podcasts, discussion, and original case study research, we'll dive deeply into historical and current political thought surrounding direct democracy in the United States; political science studies of its effects on civic engagement, civil rights, equality, and other outcomes; and recent uses of direct democracy for policymaking in a variety of American states and localities. Register with the PSC number if you want this course to count toward PSC. Register with PPE number if you want it to count towards PPE. |
| Credits: | 1.00 |
| Start Date: | January 18, 2027 |
| End Date: | May 8, 2027 |
| Meeting Information: |
01/18/2027-05/08/2027 Lecture Tuesday, Thursday 01:10PM - 02:25PM, Room to be Announced
|
| Faculty: | Gelbman, Shamira |
Course Status & Cross-Listings
| Cross-list Group Capacity: | 12 |
|---|---|
| Cross-list Group Student Count: | 0 |
| Calculated Course Status: | OPEN |
| Section Name/Title | Status | Dept. | Capacity |
Enrolled/ Available/ Waitlist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PSC-310-01
(primary)
Direct Democracy |
OPEN | Political Science | 12 | 0 / 12 / 0 |
|
PPE-338-02
(cross-listing)
Direct Democracy |
OPEN | Philosophy, Politics, Economic | 12 | 0 / 12 / 0 |