Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Harvard University

We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy

Harvard University via edX

Overview

When you read the Declaration of Independence do you feel inspired? Do you question those words? Do you think about what this means today?

Constitutional democracy is not just what was written on paper nearly 250 years ago; it is a living activity. It’s about what citizens need to do to make democracy work, about identifying your civic beliefs and duties and what matters to you and why—and how you can become an active participant in your communities and influence your government.

In We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy, you will gain a foundational knowledge of American constitutional democracy and understand how to encourage others to explore their own civic paths, while in parallel crafting your own civic voice and identity. You'll learn about rights and responsibilities, constitutionalism, the philosophical foundations of democracy, and the levers of change. This course is built on more than ten years of academic research through the Democratic Knowledge Project, an initiative of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University.

Don’t sit back—your civic actions are just beginning.

Taught by

Danielle Allen

Reviews

Start your review of We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.