This multimedia site was created and is maintained by students as part of a Communication capstone course on democracy and democratic backsliding. Our goal is to raise awareness about democratic backsliding and its many manifestations. It is our hope that promoting critical media literacy, research, and critical thinking resources, we can work together toward a more vibrant and just democracy through ethical democratic deliberation and dialogue.

Students with Project Democracy work hard to demonstrate an understanding and application of Communication theories and practices to contemporary issues facing US democracy; they engage in a group effort to research and disseminate informative content that addresses specific issues explicitly connected to democracy. Students conduct extensive research on US Supreme Court cases (contemporary and past precedents), proposed legislation or executive orders related to democratic issues, and investigative news stories about such issues. They then work to create and maintain this multimedia site, developing and contributing content in a multi-modal fashion. Our specific areas of focus may shift, but include many topics such as political polarization, First Amendment/free speech jurisprudence, dis- and misinformation, voting rights, immigration and citizenship, book bans, ethical journalism and the free press, and freedom of religion, among others.

Ultimately, we hope to educate others about the influential role communication plays in nurturing democratic practices, exposing threats to democracy, and exploring the ways in which active, responsible citizens can contribute to the promotion of democracy.