Course Context
In this time when democracy seems fragile and trust in government waning in places across the globe, how can advocates for stronger democracy find ways forward? How can we foster trust among citizens and develop mechanisms to bring people back into governmental decision-making? What cultural conditions are needed to assure healthy democracy? We’ll travel to Ireland to find out!
The Penn State McCourtney Institute for Democracy awarded the 2019 Brown Democracy Medal to Irish scholars David Farrell and Jane Suiter who organized various deliberation initiatives that led to the Irish Citizens’ Assembly, a landmark exercise in deliberation integrated with the Irish government. The Assemblies resulted in tremendous legal and cultural change in Ireland, including the 2018 referendum to lift Ireland’s abortion ban. Yet, the Assemblies–and the way the government responds to them–are not without their controversies.
Course Objectives
In Ireland, students will learn from Irish scholars, citizens, and faculty leaders about the cultural context of the Irish Citizens’ Assembly. By traveling the country, engaging with carefully curated course materials and lectures, and interviewing citizens, scholars, artists, and legislators, students will develop an understanding of the significance of deliberation in Ireland as an instrument of political, cultural, and constitutional change.
In addition to learning about Irish Citizens’ Assemblies and how they are regarded by the Irish public, students will pursue lines of inquiry (and perhaps develop new ones) to understand the factors that influence the relative success of deliberative democracy in Ireland such as:
- The Irish Government’s Structure and Political Landscape
- The Practice of Public Memory: Ireland’s Culture of Commemoration and Reconciliation
- Irish Public(s): Pub Culture and Public Art
- Céad Míle Fáilte: Irish Hospitality and Sense of “Fair Play.”
- The Isle of Saints and Scholars: Rigorous Education and Respect for Expertise
Working in groups, students will articulate their findings and new perspectives through blogs, podcasts, and the final project, 12-15 minute documentaries created in teams that emphasize salient, critical, and interesting insights about the social and political pathways and impact of the Irish Citizens’ Assembly.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Cogently articulate the political and cultural context and significance of the rise and use of deliberation as a means for political decision making in Ireland.
- Develop complex, critical, cultural insights that instigate effective field and academic research strategies and respectful, relevant communication with Irish citizens.
- Plan and utilize appropriate and effective rhetorical media strategies for cogent communication of findings, expression of synthesis, and presentation of clear claims and evidence.
- Develop group- and interpersonal-communication skills and digital-production proficiency.
Course Leaders
Lori Bedell, Associate Teaching Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, lab41@psu.edu
Johan Bodaski, PhD, Assistant Teaching Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, jzb6330@psu.edu
Jessica O’Hara, Teaching Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, jjo12@psu.edu