This course explores the meanings of democracy in a diverse society through literature. Since this is an English class, we will place special emphasis on the role of language, stories, and myths in the creation of national identities and democratic ideals. The stories we tell matter. They shape the way we view ourselves and others, and concern all members interacting together in a community. Students will have the opportunity to probe some of the most influential cultural narratives of the national past and present, arrive at well-founded responses, and circulate their own ideas about these issues.