Assignment 1: Short paper.  

Pick a contemporary information ‘case’ or phenomenon and analyze its contributions to and/or limitations on democratic practice, using analytic frameworks supplied by two of the following theorists: Habermas, Dewey, Lippman, Marion Young, Mouffe, Barber, Schudson, or Putnam.  Your paper should include: an abstract of the argument (1 single-spaced paragraph); a succinct description of the case (2-3 double-spaced pages); and an analysis section that uses concepts and frameworks supplied by your two theorists to analyze and evaluate the case at hand (5-6 double-spaced pages).  [nb: your analysis needn’t agree with your two selected theorists; if your case contradicts or calls into question some of their ideas, feel free to argue this].
Assignment 1 (PDF download)


Assignment 2: Project sketch / concept piece.

This project asks you to sketch the concept, outline the design of, and/or build a ‘democratic thing’ – i.e. an object, system, process, installation, or performance that supports, extends, or reflects on democratic practice (of a deliberative, agonistic, pluralist, etc. sort).  Your thing should come with: a one paragraph abstract; a description explaining the background and rationale of your thing, including a description of the democratic problem or limitation it is meant to address (4-5 pages double-spaced); and any supporting materials (sketches, photos, screenshots, models, etc.) you think useful to include.  Teams of 2-3 are welcome but in no way required.
Assignment 2 (PDF download)