Module 8: Politics
How closely do you follow American politics? Do you watch the news to stay informed about current events? Have you ever been a passionate supporter of a certain political party or candidate? Have you ever publicly expressed your opinion about a law or policy?
Over the course of this module, you will explore how individuals, interest groups, the mass media, and the government all play a role in the American political process. You will study different political ideologies and different political parties. You will also learn how people become candidates for office, as well as how political campaigns are run and won. Most importantly, you will learn how it is possible for an individual to participate in the American government without being an elected official.
Getting Started
Use this short drag and drop interactivity to get you started thinking about American politics. This non-graded interactivity will briefly review some of your prior knowledge about topics like political parties, interest groups, and the mass media. Click the player button when you are ready to begin.
Key Vocabulary
To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.
caucus
closed primary
conservative
Electoral College
gerrymandering
hard money
issue ads
interest group
liberal
lobbying
mass media
moderate
multiparty system
one-party system
open primary
platform
PAC
political party
public opinion
public policy
scientific polling
radical
reactionary
reapportionment
soft money
suffrage
two-party system