Civic Apathy and the Future of American Democracy

Throughout United States history, the tendency to take citizenship for granted has led to significant and often dangerous shifts in the democratic landscape. This course examines the documented consequences of civic disengagement, tracing a narrative arc from the Civil Rights movement to the present day. We analyze how a collective withdrawal from civic life allows external forces to reshape individual rights, often with unexpected and destabilizing results. Through visual case studies and historical analysis, we explore the tangible effects of political apathy on the modern American experience. Specifically, we investigate the impact of shifting state voter ID requirements on election outcomes, examine how rapidly evolving immigration enforcement shapes national and local economies, and trace the roots of growing public skepticism toward government alongside the decline of foundational civics education in favor of STEM-focused curricula. This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.