When I ask people, “what is a citizen?” the most common answer I get is, “Someone who was born here.” Of course, President Trump has indicated a desire to see the end of birthright citizenship, so this notion of citizenship is up for debate. The second most common answer is, “Someone whose parents are citizens.” But, of course, that would imply that citizenship is only hereditary, and it would not explain how one’s ancestors acquired citizenship. So, I still am left wondering, what is a citizen? Please help me work to better understand this question by seeking to uncover the normative structure of “citizenship.” We will explore philosophical accounts that attempt to explain the normative difference between a political “us” and “them,” as well as accounts that problematize such differences. We’ll look at conceptions of “global citizenship” and accounts that deny such cosmopolitanism. We’ll even look at accounts that simply deny the citizen/non-citizen divide. We’ll put this all together by examining how the concept of citizenship is used to police human activity in schools, public forums, and at the border. Perhaps citizenship reflects an important moral relationship, perhaps it covers for oppression of minorities, perhaps both. This class will be an earnest investigation into the concept of citizenship. As such, expect discussion and engagement with multiple points of view. We’ll engage in philosophy, but also documentaries, court rulings, and news stories. No prior philosophy is required, but a keen interest in law, politics, society, or ethics is highly recommended.