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Civic Engagement in American Democracy

Civic Engagement in American Democracy

Instructors: Dr. Bruce W Jentleson

8,226 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

110 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

110 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

21 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

So how does the American political system work? Who are some of the key actors? What are key concepts for a student trying to understand what’s going on? How can I as a citizen influence politics?

Civic Engagement in American Democracy takes on these and other key questions. We’re Dr. Nicholas Carnes and Dr. Bruce Jentleson, the principal course instructors. Along with our Duke faculty colleagues who also contributed modules, we’ve designed the course to provide a strong foundational introduction to US politics. If you’re new to this material, proceed through the modules one by one and build up your knowledge of politics and government. If some of the material is familiar, go ahead and set your own pace. Either way we hope Civic Engagement in American Democracy helps you be an effective student in more advanced politics courses and/or an engaged citizen in 21st century America.

What's included

1 video1 reading

This week we'll learn who is who in American Democracy.

What's included

8 videos4 readings9 assignments

8 videos Total 70 minutes

Legislatures 7 minutes
The Presidency 9 minutes
Courts 7 minutes
Bureaucracy 7 minutes
Media and Politics 13 minutes
Political Parties 7 minutes
Interest Groups 7 minutes
Social Movements 14 minutes

4 readings Total 120 minutes

Resources 10 minutes
Resources 90 minutes
Resources 10 minutes
Resources 10 minutes

9 assignments Total 222 minutes

Who are the Key Players? 0 minutes
Legislatures 12 minutes
The Presidency 30 minutes
Courts 30 minutes
Bureaucracy 30 minutes
Media and Politics 30 minutes
Parties 30 minutes
Interest Groups 30 minutes
Social Movements 30 minutes

This week we'll learn how American Democracy is structured and how forces—internal and external—affect it.

What's included

5 videos3 readings6 assignments

5 videos Total 37 minutes

The Constitution 9 minutes
Federalism 7 minutes
Globalization 7 minutes
Political Accountability 7 minutes
Structural Inequality 7 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Resources 10 minutes
Resources 10 minutes
Resources 10 minutes

6 assignments Total 150 minutes

How do the players fit together? 0 minutes
The Constitution 30 minutes
Federalism 30 minutes
Globalization 30 minutes
Political Accountability 30 minutes
Structural Inequality 30 minutes

This week we'll learn how American citizens can affect their political system.

What's included

5 videos5 readings6 assignments

5 videos Total 28 minutes

Staying Informed 10 minutes
Voting 2 minutes
Contacting Elected Officials 2 minutes
Protesting 7 minutes
Advocacy and Campaigning 7 minutes

5 readings Total 50 minutes

Resources 10 minutes
Resources 10 minutes
Resources 10 minutes
Resources 10 minutes
Share your learning experience 10 minutes

6 assignments Total 130 minutes

How do citizens influence politics? 0 minutes
Staying Informed 30 minutes
Voting 30 minutes
Contacting Elected Officials 10 minutes
Protest 30 minutes
Advocacy and Campaigning 30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(33 ratings)

Dr. Bruce W Jentleson

Duke University

1 Course 8,226 learners

Offered by

Duke University

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Showing 3 of 110

Reviewed on Dec 24, 2024

Great course to better understand how the american political system works

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2023

Easy and quick course taught by great professors with great and experienced backgrounds. Not hard AT ALL! I completed the course in it entirety in two, two hour sessions.

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2019

Touches on what matters in American government procedures.

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Frequently asked questions

No. Completion of a Coursera course does not earn you academic credit from Duke; therefore, Duke is not able to provide you with a university transcript. However, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.