This course examines democracy as a system of governance as well as universal democratic principles that underlie all human societies in the context of the global experience of human liberty and human rights. Learners will consider the suitability of democracy as a governing structure as well as the potential for integration of democratic principles into other forms of government. Core assignments will comprise case studies, providing learners with the analytical exercise of evaluating particular democratic principles in a variety of countries.
This course covers media as it has changed through history and looks at how media has documented historical events and has sometimes been the driving force behind them. It covers the shift from newsprint to radio to cinema to television and the internet as the semester progresses. Throughout, there will be articles, radio broadcasts, television, cinema, and internet items to better understand US and global history from the Spanish-American War in 1898 to today. Major themes will include media bias, media as both shaper and recorder of history, and evolving cultural attitudes toward and use of media in all its forms.Â
This course addresses the increasingly complex ethical and philosophical issues of the 21th Century through a reintegration of personal, normative, and metaethical perspectives. Facets of a multi-cultural and diversified society are presented through critical reading, video and listening assignments that challenge learners to consider the larger scope of humanity beyond their own perspective. Prerequisite: ENGL 201 or equivalent.