Understanding American politics nowadays entails some consideration of democratic fragility – i.e., that democracy in the United States (or anywhere) cannot be taken for granted, and that it has many parameters that can be simultaneously strengthened and/or weakened to affect the overall performance of democracy. This brief course module helps students shift from a habit of translating democracy – that is, defining democracy by reciting that it means “rule by the people” – to appreciating it as a multidimensional concept. It also encourages students to develop and reflect on their own democratic priorities.

This resource includes an Instructor’s Manual, Student Assignment Instructions, and Instructor PowerPoint slides.