AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

“Global Democracy and Its Promotion” – First taught Spring 2006
Richard Rowson, Robert LaGamma, and Daniel Calingaert

“This course explores the spread of democracy around the world focusing on the past two decades and assesses the progress and challenges of U.S. and international efforts to promote democracy.  These efforts range from global movements, such as the Community of Democracies, to U.S. government policy initiatives and to programs of civil society organizations to assist democratic transitions and consolidation.  The course will draw on the literature and case studies of democratic transitions and on the rich experience of the Council for a Community of Democracies’ leading practitioners of democracy promotion from government and civil society.”

To see the syllabus, click here. (for the Spring 2006 version of this syllabus, please click here)

“GOVT-634 Democracy: Past, Present, and Future” – Most recently taught Fall 2006
Todd A. Eisenstadt

"This course examines the social, economic and political conditions that promote democratization, the causes of the recent wave of democratization, the problems of democratic transition and consolidation, and the future prospects for democracy. Includes economic prerequisites, the institutional structures of stable democracies and the challenges from ethnic conflict. Usually offered every third spring.”

To see the syllabus, click here.

“Theories of Democracy and Human Rights” – Last Taught Fall 2006
Lucinda Peach, Farhang Erfani

“This course analyzes traditional Western theories of democracy and rights, both separately and in relation to each other, as well as contemporary approaches such as Habermasian, post-modern, feminist, and critical race theory. It also considers the East-West debate on human rights. Usually offered every spring.”

To see the syllabus, click here

“SIS-647: Governance, Democracy, and Development” – Last Taught Fall 2006
Miguel Carter

“Governance, Democracy, & Development provides a general overview of key issues in the comparative study of democracy.  The course examines the development of democratic regimes, its multiple pathways, and the conditions needed to sustain this political framework.  Furthermore, it reviews a variety of institutions for democratic governance, including the rule of law, presidentialism, parliamentarism, electoral processes, party systems and federalism.  Attention is also given to the role of civil society and popular mobilization, and the effects of ethnic, religious and nationalist conflict in democratizing polities.  A final section will appraise contemporary discussions on the quality of democracy.  Course readings and discussions will draw on a range of case studies from across the world, with a special emphasis on Latin America..”

To see the syllabus, click here