When we think about the question, “What makes democracy work?” it’s important to remember that not all democracies are the same. In this four week class, we turn to voices from South Africa, a relatively new and fragile democracy, to ask what can make democracy work in countries with different cultures and histories.

The class begins with the first half of the course focused on apartheid. Learners will focus the first two weeks on the definition and understanding of apartheid generally and how it manifested within the South African context as well as gaining an understanding of the struggle to end apartheid within the country. 

The second half of this class will shift to focus on South Africa post apartheid, with students gaining an understanding of how democracy developed within the fragile structure of a society trying to rebuild after the struggle of apartheid. Finally, the last class will focus on an understanding of how democracies can vary from country to country and culture to culture, based on a cultural and historical context. The learner will leave the course with gained knowledge not only about the history of South Africa and an understanding of apartheid within a societal structure, but will gain abilities in critical analysis and work to understand how these factors can work to influence the democracy that developed from South Africa’s painful history. 

The course is a Self Paced course so there will be no live lectures.  Rather,  via video lecture from the teacher and outside readings, including, among others, primary source materials and video links of those who created and led the fight against apartheid and other social justice movements, learners will gain a deeper understanding of the history and mechanics of apartheid in South Africa.  Learners will  engage in critical thinking through projects and assignments developed to engage greater analysis on the issues presented and their consequences in societies.