Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media

Online Course

edX
Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media

What is the course about?

Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media
The course Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media is an online class provided by Harvard University through edX. The skill level of the course is Introductory. It may be possible to receive a verified certification or use the course to prepare for a degree.

Learn about the forces in American politics that seek to influence the electorate and shift the political landscape.

Course description

Public opinion has a powerful yet inexact influence on elected officials. Politicians risk their careers if they ignore it, yet its power is not easy to capture nor quantify. This course will look at how political parties, campaigns, social movements, special interests, and the news media all play a role in influencing public opinion. We’ll examine the attributes of public opinion, how polling attempts to measure those attributes, and how they impact the decisions of policymakers. We’ll address the unique features of the two-party system in the U.S., how those parties realign themselves in response to shifting norms, and how their candidates are vetted behind the scenes before the start of a campaign.Outside of the formal organization of party politics, groups representing various interests aim to affect a change through the political system. Special interest groups resemble political parties, but while parties try to influence elections, groups concentrate on gaining influence over policies. Meanwhile, social movements take place outside these established institutions, often in the form of protest demonstrations and rallies. All of these interests are filtered through the news media, which plays a critical role in shaping people’s images of politics.This course will help you to understand how these forces shape American politics, from “invisible primaries” to election day and beyond.

Prerequisites & Facts

Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media

Course Topic

History, Law, Social Sciences

University, College, Institution

Harvard University

Course Skill Level

Introductory

Course Language

English

Place of class

Online, self-paced (see curriculum for more information)

Degree

Certificate

Degree & Cost

Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media

To obtain a verified certificate from edX / Harvard University you have to finish this course or the latest version of it, if there is a new edition. The class may be free of charge, but there could be some cost to receive a verified certificate (49.00 USD) or to access the learning materials. The specifics of the course may have been changed, please consult the provider to get the latest quotes and news.
Harvard University
Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media
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School: Harvard University
Topic: History, Law, Social Sciences