516 Democracy and the Rule of Law

This 2-credit seminar co-taught by Jack Knight and Mat McCubbins will provide an overview of the normative and positive issues associated with modern democracies and their legal systems. Students will explore questions related to the debate over what are the fundamental components of democracy and the rule of law. These questions include: does democracy require elections? Do elections need to be free, fair and frequent? Are there unalienable rights, protecting personal and civic freedoms, that are essential for a democratic system of government? How does one define the rule of law? Is the rule of law a necessary condition for democracy? Grades will be based on attendance and participation (20%), six 3-page papers due roughly every other week (60%), and one 8-page final paper due at the middle of finals week (20%). (Six 1-page papers (20%) and a 20-page paper (60%) can serve as an alternative.)

Course Areas of Practice
Evaluation Methods
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Class participation
Degree Requirements
Course Type
  • Seminar
Learning Outcomes
  • Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law

Spring 2020

2020
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

516.01 2
  • Reflective Writing
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Class participation
Mathew D. McCubbins, Jack Knight

This 2-credit seminar co-taught by Jack Knight and Mat McCubbins will provide an overview of the normative and positive issues associated with modern democracies and their legal systems. Students will explore questions related to the debate over what are the fundamental components of democracy and the rule of law. These questions include: does democracy require elections? Do elections need to be free, fair and frequent? Are there unalienable rights, protecting personal and civic freedoms, that are essential for a democratic system of government? How does one define the rule of law? Is the rule of law a necessary condition for democracy? Grades will be based on attendance and participation (20%), six 3-page papers due roughly every other week (60%), and one 8-page final paper due at the middle of finals week (20%). (Six 1-page papers (20%) and a 20-page paper (60%) can serve as an alternative.)

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Spring 2019

2019
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

516.01 2
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Reflective Writing
  • Class participation
Mathew D. McCubbins

This 2-credit seminar co-taught by Jack Knight and Mat McCubbins will provide an overview of the normative and positive issues associated with modern democracies and their legal systems. Students will explore questions related to the debate over what are the fundamental components of democracy and the rule of law. These questions include: does democracy require elections? Do elections need to be free, fair and frequent? Are there unalienable rights, protecting personal and civic freedoms, that are essential for a democratic system of government? How does one define the rule of law? Is the rule of law a necessary condition for democracy? Grades will be based on attendance and participation (20%), six 3-page papers due roughly every other week (60%), and one 8-page final paper due at the middle of finals week (20%). (Six 1-page papers (20%) and a 20-page paper (60%) can serve as an alternative.)

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Spring 2017

2017
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

516.01 2
  • Research and/or analytical paper(s), 10-15 pages
  • Reflective Writing
  • Class participation
Mathew D. McCubbins, Jack Knight

This 2-credit seminar co-taught by Jack Knight and Mat McCubbins will provide an overview of the normative and positive issues associated with modern democracies and their legal systems. Students will explore questions related to the debate over what are the fundamental components of democracy and the rule of law. These questions include: does democracy require elections? Do elections need to be free, fair and frequent? Are there unalienable rights, protecting personal and civic freedoms, that are essential for a democratic system of government? How does one define the rule of law? Is the rule of law a necessary condition for democracy? Grades will be based on attendance and participation (20%), six 3-page papers due roughly every other week (60%), and one 8-page final paper due at the middle of finals week (20%). (Six 1-page papers (20%) and a 20-page paper (60%) can serve as an alternative.)

Pre/Co-requisites
None

Spring 2016

2016
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

516.01 2 Mathew D. McCubbins, Jack Knight

This 2-credit seminar co-taught by Jack Knight and Mat McCubbins will provide an overview of the normative and positive issues associated with modern democracies and their legal systems. Students will explore questions related to the debate over what are the fundamental components of democracy and the rule of law. These questions include: does democracy require elections? Do elections need to be free, fair and frequent? Are there unalienable rights, protecting personal and civic freedoms, that are essential for a democratic system of government? How does one define the rule of law? Is the rule of law a necessary condition for democracy? Grades will be based on attendance and participation (20%), six 3-page papers due roughly every other week (60%), and one 8-page final paper due at the middle of finals week (20%). (Six 1-page papers (20%) and a 20-page paper (60%) can serve as an alternative.)

Pre/Co-requisites
None

*Please note that this information is for planning purposes only, and should not be relied upon for the schedule for a given semester. Faculty leaves and sabbaticals, as well as other curriculum considerations, will sometimes affect when a course may be offered.