Print this page Exploring American Democracy

After the victory over Great Britain in 1781, the American colonies set out to create a new nation. The leaders of the United States eventually adopted an experimental form of government, inspired by Enlightenment philosophers, which differed significantly from the Westminster model. In this course we will learn more about the American ‘experiment’ in democracy and how it responded to: the dramatic changes of the nineteenth century; the Cold War in the twentieth century; new international threats which emerged in the post-Cold War period; the rise of populist politicians such as Donald Trump in the twenty-first century; what might happen next and what it could mean for Australia.

This is a Discussion Group course, if you aren’t already part of a group please see ‘Getting Started’ below.

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Author: Sonya Thompson

Course Code: D254

Supplied Material: Fully illustrated Course Booklet

Units & Pricing: 6 units / $78 per person

GETTING STARTED

Start your Group: Anyone can start a Discussion Group – seek out some like-minded friends or put up a notice in your local library, bookshop or workplace. Please note a minimum of 6 people is required to start a new discussion group.

Arrange the Meetings: New groups need to decide where and when to meet, and for how long – whatever best suits members' particular situations.

Run your Group: Choose a secretary to liaise with WEA and your tutor, a Discussion Leader to chair meetings, a reporter to take discussion notes to send to your tutor, and maybe a librarian to look after the books.

Start the Course: Contact WEA Sydney to enrol. Bookings can be made for one year, divided into two terms – Term 1 commences in February, Term 2 in July (Groups may make forward bookings for popular choices). Please indicate in what order your Group wishes to study the courses, if more than one course is booked.