Forms of political participation: old and new

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

How and why do we participate in public life? How do we get drawn into community and political affairs? In this course we examine the associations and networks that connect us to one another and structure our social and political interactions. Readings are drawn from a growing body of research suggesting that the social networks, community norms, and associational activities represented by the concepts of civil society and social capital can have important effects on the functioning of democracy, stability and change in political regimes, the capacity of states to carry out their objectives, and international politics.

For the second class session of each week, you will be expected to complete the vast majority of required reading and to contribute actively to class discussions. In order to facilitate discussion, you will be required to e-mail two discussion questions to me by noon of that day. During class discussion, "cold calls" will sometimes be used, although comments contributed will only help, not hurt, one's grade.

There will be no final exam in this class. You will be required to write three papers of 1200-1800 words (about 4-6 pages). The first paper is due in class on Lecture 9. You will also be required to rewrite the first paper. The rewrite of the first paper is due in class on Lecture 13. The second and third papers are due on Lecture 19 and Lecture 25. Rewrites of the second and third papers are optional but can only improve your grade.

Don't show me this again

This is one of over 2,200 courses on OCW. Find materials for this course in the pages linked along the left.

MIT OpenCourseWare is a free & open publication of material from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum.

No enrollment or registration. Freely browse and use OCW materials at your own pace. There's no signup, and no start or end dates.

Knowledge is your reward. Use OCW to guide your own life-long learning, or to teach others. We don't offer credit or certification for using OCW.

Made for sharing. Download files for later. Send to friends and colleagues. Modify, remix, and reuse (just remember to cite OCW as the source.)

Learn more at Get Started with MIT OpenCourseWare