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    Politics Courses Online

    Study politics for understanding political systems and behavior. Learn about political ideologies, institutions, and policy-making.

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    Explore the Politics Course Catalog

    • University of California San Diego

      Social Computing

      Skills you'll gain: Telecommuting, Technology Strategies, Human Computer Interaction, Remote Access Systems, Interaction Design, Web Applications, Social Sciences, Computing Platforms, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Digital Communications

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      816 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Alfaisal University | KLD

      تحقيق السعادة في بيئة العمل | Achieving Happiness at Work

      Skills you'll gain: Employee Engagement, Stress Management, Employee Retention, Positivity, Workforce Management, Rapport Building, Emotional Intelligence, Relationship Building, Resilience, Self-Awareness, Empathy, Growth Mindedness, Cooperation, Mental Health, Conflict Management, Goal Setting, Active Listening

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      776 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free

      University of Lausanne

      Ecologie Politique: défi de la durabilité pour les démocraties

      Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Environmental Policy, Policy Analysis, Social Sciences, Environment and Resource Management, Systems Thinking, Socioeconomics, Governance, Economics, Ethical Standards And Conduct

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      208 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free

      Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

      Democracia y decisiones públicas. Introducción al análisis de políticas públicas

      Skills you'll gain: Policy Analysis, Political Sciences, Policy Development, Public Policies, Public Administration, Program Evaluation, Governance, Social Studies, Community Development, Media and Communications

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.4K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free

      National Taiwan University

      少年福利與權利 (Welfare and Rights of Youth)

      Skills you'll gain: Child Welfare, Social Work, Community and Social Work, Advocacy, Social Sciences, Empowerment, Social Justice, Public Policies, Sociology, Human Development, Culture, Systems Thinking

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      46 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Duke University

      ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy

      Skills you'll gain: Social Studies, Pedagogy, Student Engagement, Aesthetics, Social Justice, Cultural Diversity, Creativity, Teaching, Community Development, Collaboration, Communication

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      126 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Michigan State University

      Journalism, the future, and you!

      Skills you'll gain: Journalism, Media and Communications, International Relations, Interviewing Skills, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Storytelling, Cultural Diversity, Safety and Security, Investigation, Digital Publishing, Emerging Technologies

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      369 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New

      University of Michigan

      Human Capital: Positive Downsizing and Navigating Politics

      Skills you'll gain: Human Resource Strategy, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Human Capital, Human Resources Management and Planning, Workforce Planning, Business Ethics, Policy Development, Employee Engagement, Relationship Management, Organizational Change, Change Management, Communication Strategies

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free

      Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

      Periodismo digital y combate a las fake news

      Skills you'll gain: Journalism, Research, Investigation, Media and Communications, Writing, Interviewing Skills, Data Security, Report Writing, Community Development, Cybersecurity, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Diversity Awareness, Editing

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      655 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free

      The University of Melbourne

      How Music Can Change Your Life

      Skills you'll gain: Cultural Diversity, Cultural Responsiveness, Community Development, Behavioral Health, Community Mental Health Services, Psychotherapy, Creativity, Mental Health, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Education and Training, Human Learning, Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Interpersonal Communications, Clinical Psychology, Research, Program Evaluation

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      177 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free

      University of Geneva

      Genre : quels enjeux ? Violences, globalisation, biomédecine, sexualités.

      Skills you'll gain: Social Justice, Sociology, Social Sciences, Diversity Awareness, International Relations, Anthropology, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Medical Science and Research, Cultural Diversity, Science and Research, Political Sciences

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      357 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free

      The University of Melbourne

      Contemporary India

      Skills you'll gain: International Relations, Social Studies, Political Sciences, Culture, Socioeconomics, Social Sciences, Economic Development, Liberal Arts, Anthropology, Cultural Diversity, Sociology, Economics, Policy Analysis, Business Economics

      4.2
      Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
      ·
      33 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular politics courses

    • Social Computing: University of California San Diego
    • تحقيق السعادة في بيئة العمل | Achieving Happiness at Work: Alfaisal University | KLD
    • Ecologie Politique: défi de la durabilité pour les démocraties: University of Lausanne
    • Democracia y decisiones públicas. Introducción al análisis de políticas públicas: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
    • 少年福利與權利 (Welfare and Rights of Youth): National Taiwan University
    • ART of the MOOC: Public Art and Pedagogy: Duke University
    • Journalism, the future, and you!: Michigan State University
    • Human Capital: Positive Downsizing and Navigating Politics: University of Michigan
    • Periodismo digital y combate a las fake news: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
    • How Music Can Change Your Life: The University of Melbourne

    Frequently Asked Questions about Politics

    Politics is the process of making decisions among groups of people, whether in a small community or an entire country. While politics is an especially popular topic of conversation around national elections - at least, in a democracy where political leaders are elected by the public - understanding politics is important for understanding the forces that structure our lives every day. Politics doesn’t just impact who’s serving in the government; it shapes economics, the law, and social justice in ways that affect us all.

    Because politics is such an all-encompassing subject, there are a variety of different lenses through which you can learn and think about it. Political science is the study of how government works, the factors influencing behaviors of voters and politicians, international relations, and other practical questions about how politics works. By contrast, political philosophy focuses on asking the big questions of what the proper role and purpose of government should be, the nature of equality and justice, and the relationship between politics and the course of history.

    Many people may opt to study politics through a more particular focus. Feminism and social justice discourses seek to describe the ways that the forces of patriarchy and racism create structures of oppression in subtle as well as obvious ways. Marxist political analysis focuses on the ways that economic conditions shape politics, instead of the other way around. Environmentalism considers the ways in which politics and society can destroy or protect the natural world and all the resources and services that it provides.

    Ironically, the way we think and feel about politics is very personal even though it is fundamentally about how we live and work together as a society. Learning about the different ways that people understand and participate in the political process can thus improve your own ability to appreciate how different people see the world. ‎

    Knowing why you want to study politics, whether for academic purposes, career goals, or personal interest, will guide your learning. Regularly studying political theories, current events, and historical contexts is vital. Join political discussion forums or local groups for deeper insight. Work on real projects such as writing political essays or participating in debates. Moral Foundations of Politics by Yale University provides an excellent introduction to political thought.‎

    If you have a passion for politics, you can pursue a career working on political campaigns in all kinds of roles. In today’s data-rich world, successful candidates running for office often have a campaign staff with expertise in areas such as branding and writing, communications and digital marketing, and polling and data analysis. Working in politics is hard but exciting work, and helping a candidate you believe in win a race can be incredibly rewarding.

    If you are more interested in developing your understanding of politics than in running races, you can pursue a career as a political scientist. These academic experts on the development and operation of political systems typically work at universities or in the government, and usually have a master’s degree or even a PhD. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, political scientists earn a median annual salary of $122,220, and these jobs are expected to grow faster than the economy-wide average over the next decade.‎

    Absolutely. Coursera lets you learn about politics from prestigious universities from all over the world, with courses covering everything from political philosophy to political science to the role of politics in law and history and much more. You can learn remotely from top-ranked schools like Yale University, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, University of London, and Utrecht University from wherever you are in the world. Learning about politics online has other advantages such as significantly lower tuition fees than learning on campus and a flexible schedule for completing course materials, making it an increasingly popular option for learning about a wide range of subjects.‎

    If elections are to you what March Madness is to basketball fans, then a job in politics may be just what you're looking for. Ideally, people in politics have an interest in government here and abroad, a strong belief in political principles, and a commitment to public service. To have a successful career in politics, it helps to be a strategic thinker, have a genuine affinity for other people, and possess good conflict-resolution and communication skills. If you're interested in running for office, you can also benefit by having a can-do spirit and a thick skin.‎

    As mentioned, a background in politics is helpful if you want to be a political candidate. You can run to be a city or state council member, a state representative, a mayor, a congressperson, a senator, a governor, or—if your aspirations are very high—the president. If you'd rather work as a support person to a candidate, you can become a campaign manager and oversee all of the details involved in a campaign, or you can be a communications coordinator. This job involves creating press releases, writing speeches, managing social media, and overseeing communications strategies for candidates or legislators. If you enjoy gathering and analyzing data, you may want to consider a career as a political pollster, and if creating government policy is appealing, you can become a policy analyst. More positions in politics include press secretary, lobbyist, legislative aid, and legislative correspondent.‎

    If you study politics, you'll have many workplace options. You can become an aide in a local, state, or federal government office or work as a lobbyist for a nonprofit or private corporation. If you enjoy writing, you can work as a legislative reporter at a newspaper or a magazine. And if you want to be a teacher, you can get a job at a college or university as a political science professor. More places that hire people with a background in politics include public relations firms, law firms, law enforcement agencies like the FBI, and intelligence agencies like the CIA and NSA.‎

    Politics-related topics you can study include history, international relations, law, criminal justice, communications, public health, economics, business administration, and/or finance. Extracurricular activities that relate to politics include running for student body government or joining activist organizations.‎

    Online Politics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Politics skills. Choose from a wide range of Politics courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Politics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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