Democracy in the Balance: Polarization and the Road Ahead

How do we build a more inclusive and resilient America, when conservatives and liberals seem increasingly divided on politics and policy? In this policy practicum course, students will work directly with a U.S. nonprofit research organization, More in Common, to understand what unites America in this era of polarization with the goal to strengthen American civic practice and democracy. Students are invited to bring their social science knowledge and methodological skills to design and implement a research project in consultation with More in Common staff on topics of interest. Students will work together to design and implement a nationally representative YouGov survey to, in part, help Americans better understand young adults as the nation heads into the 2024 election. We will pair this collective project with seminar discussions of polarization in America, why it matters for American democracy, and the levers with which civil society can counter political division. Students will end the course with a better understanding of how we arrived at today's levels of political polarization and misunderstanding, as well as what we can do individually and collectively to strengthen democracy. This course has been designated as a Cardinal Course by the Haas Center for Public Service. Cardinal Courses apply classroom knowledge to pressing social and environmental problems through reciprocal community partnerships. The units received through this course can be used towards the 12-unit requirement for the Cardinal Service transcript notation.