The Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement invites submissions from faculty and staff interested in leading a session of Democracy Across the Disciplines: How Change Happens.
The course is designed in partnership with the Nabb Center, which is hosting the traveling Smithsonian exhibit Voices and Votes: Democracy in America as part of the Maryland Humanities’ Museum on Main Street program.
Like the Voices and Votes exhibit, this course will examine the many different ways that individuals and groups have worked to make their voices heard, whether in Salisbury, across Delmarva, or in other parts of America. We are particularly interested in submissions exploring the experiences, successes, and failures of politically-marginalized groups and their allies, and welcome topics around questions such as:
- How does where you live, what you look like, how you speak, or who you love affect your vote?
- What symbols and artifacts of change are underestimated/overestimated in our society?
- How is a “movement” defined within your discipline?
- What is the mathematics of a social movement?
- How does the rhetoric of citizenship and participation affect real political inclusion or exclusion?
- Why does universal suffrage remain an unrealized goal in the United States?
- Where does the art of messaging meet the science of legislation?
- What periods or events have proven crucial to the development of American democracy?
- How has political action brought together groups like business, lobbyists, and consumers?
- What is the geography of marginalization and participation?
- How do we encourage more people to participate in our democracy?
- What ideologies or worldviews have been marginalized in America’s past or present?
Individual or small groups of faculty and staff are asked to submit topics that fit within the larger program. Please review the included exhibit outline and identify one or more bullet points that your topic speaks to.
If chosen, you will be responsible for identifying one or two accessible readings, delivering an engaging 30-60 minute lecture with opportunities for Q&A, and suggesting an assignment for the class to complete. Presenters will be asked to integrate specific artifacts or general themes from the Voices and Votes exhibit.
To apply, please complete the form at this link https://bit.ly/pace205fall21 by June 1st.
The one-credit Democracy Across the Disciplines course will meet Mondays from 7pm-8:30pm in Fulton Hall 111.
The full Voices and Votes exhibit runs at the Nabb Center from August 14 – September 26, 2021. The Nabb Center is also organizing a complementary exhibit focused on our local community that will be available throughout the fall 2021 semester.
