Explore by Category
Navigate the foundations of civic knowledge. Each category connects skills, topics, and real-world applications to help you understand how democracy actually works.
All Categories
Government
Federal, state, and local government structures and processes
Elections
Electoral systems, voting rights, and campaign processes
Economy
Economic policy, taxation, and financial systems
Foreign Policy
International relations and diplomatic affairs
Justice
Legal system, courts, and law enforcement
Civil Rights
Individual rights and civil liberties
Environment
Environmental policy and sustainability
Local Issues
Community governance and local civic engagement
Constitutional Law
Constitutional principles and interpretation
National Security
Defense, security, and public safety
Public Policy
Policy analysis and implementation
Historical Precedent
Historical context and precedents
Civic Action
Community engagement and civic participation
Electoral Systems
Voting systems and electoral processes
Legislative Process
How laws are made and implemented
Judicial Review
Court review of laws and executive actions
Policy Analysis
Analyzing and evaluating public policies
Civic Participation
Ways citizens can engage in democracy
Immigration
Migration law & policy
Media Literacy
Understanding & critiquing media
AI Governance
Ethics & regulation of AI
Health Care & Public Health
Health coverage, drug costs, and community well-being.
Education
Schools, student debt, and lifelong learning for everyone.
Labor & Employment
Workersβ rights, wages, unions, and the modern gig economy.
Housing & Development
Affordable homes, zoning rules, and smarter, safer neighborhoods.
Energy & Natural Resources
Power choices, conservation, and access to critical resources.
Infrastructure & Transportation
How we move people, goods, and dataβroads to broadband.
Technology & Innovation
R&D, emerging tech, and keeping the U.S. competitive and ethical.
Tax & Budget
How government raises and spends moneyβand why it matters to you.
Ethics in Government
Transparency, anti-corruption, and rebuilding public trust.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Food systems, farm policy, and thriving rural communities.
Trade & Commerce
Tariffs, trade deals, and navigating global markets.
Digital Rights & Cybersecurity
Privacy, data protection, and defending critical systems online.
Veterans & Military Affairs
Benefits, health care, and opportunities for those who served.
Religion, Culture & Society
Faith, arts, and the debates shaping civic life and identity.
Disaster Management
Resilience, relief, and coordinating fast, effective crisis response.
Core Civic Knowledge
Essential civic knowledge that remains relevant regardless of current events. Build your foundation in democratic processes, constitutional rights, and government structure.
AI in Democracy: Algorithms and Elections
Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping democracy in 2025, from EU AI Act implementation to deepfakes in elections to state-level AI regulations.
Deepfakes Flood Democracy: 2024 Election Reality Check
Over 2,000 AI-generated deepfake videos circulated during 2024 global elections, from fake Biden robocalls to AI-generated hurricane disinformation.
Democracy Under Siege: How Modern Voter Suppression Works
Voter suppression has evolved from poll taxes to surgical precision. Learn the sophisticated tactics used today to silence votersβfrom strategic DMV closures to surgical gerrymanderingβand who's most at risk.
EU AI Act Goes Global: August 2025 Implementation
The world's first comprehensive AI regulation takes effect August 2025, banning high-risk AI systems and requiring transparency from tech giants.
How American elections actually work from local to federal
Understanding how US elections work, from local to federal levels
How dark money and gerrymandering break American democracy
Campaign finance, gerrymandering, and efforts to reform the electoral system
How the Constitution shapes your daily rights and freedoms
Master the foundational document of American democracy through questions that reveal how constitutional principles shape your daily rights and freedoms.
State AI Laws: 50 States, 50 Different Rules
Colorado's AI Act takes effect 2026, California considers 30+ AI bills, while Texas narrowed its regulations. States are creating a patchwork of conflicting AI rules.
The Long Road to the Ballot Box: America's Voting Rights Journey
From the 15th Amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, discover how millions of Americans fought for nearly a century to secure their most fundamental democratic rightβand why that fight continues today.
Featured Skills
Essential civic skills organized by category. Master these to build a strong foundation in democratic participation.
Civic Action
Organize People for Change
Bring people together to solve community problems. Leadership skill for any group project or cause.
Communicate Your Message
Explain your ideas clearly to different audiences. Essential for presentations, interviews, and persuasion.
Plan Campaigns
Organize efforts to create change step by step. Project management for any goal you want to achieve.
Judicial Review
Understand How Courts Work
Know the basics of how different courts operate. Useful for any legal situation you might face.
Read Court Decisions
Understand what court rulings actually say and mean. Document analysis for any complex decision.
Understand Your Legal Rights
Know what legal protections you have in different situations. Self-protection skill for navigating adult life.
Follow Supreme Court Cases
Track major cases that affect constitutional rights. News literacy for understanding legal developments.
Government
Legislative Process
Understand how ideas become laws. Useful for following any step-by-step process.
Read Government Budgets
Understand where tax money goes and what governments prioritize. Useful for any budget analysis.
Find Public Information
Use government websites to find information you need. Great skill for research projects and fact-checking.
Executive Powers
Know what the president can and cannot do. Helps you understand leadership limits anywhere.
Judicial System
Understand how courts work and review laws. System navigation for any legal issue.
Contact Your Representatives
Know who represents you and how to reach them. Apply this networking skill anywhere you need influence.
Constitutional Law
Use Your Constitutional Rights
Know when and how to invoke your constitutional protections. Helps you stand up for yourself in any formal situation.
Constitutional Interpretation
Figure out what the Constitution actually says about modern issues. Think like a judge when making fair decisions.
Separation of Powers
Knowledge of how power is divided between branches of government
Recognize Government Overreach
Spot when authorities exceed their legal powers. Apply this to any situation where someone abuses their authority.
Federalism
Understand how federal and state governments share power. Helps you know who to contact about different problems.
Understand Checks and Balances
See how different parts of government limit each other's power. Useful for understanding any organization's structure.
Bill of Rights
Know your basic freedoms and what government can and cannot do to you.
Immigration
Understand Immigration Basics
Know the difference between various immigration statuses and processes. Helps you understand diverse communities and legal pathways.
Help Immigrants Navigate Services
Assist newcomers in accessing government services and community resources. Service navigation skills.
Understand Immigration Rights
Know what rights immigrants have regardless of status. Human rights awareness for community support.
Media Literacy
Check If Sources Are Real
Verify whether news sources and websites are trustworthy. Essential for school research and avoiding fake news.
Fact-Check Claims
Use reliable methods to verify if something is true. Protect yourself from misinformation everywhere.
Spot Bias and Manipulation
Recognize when media, ads, or people are trying to influence you unfairly. Stay in control of your own opinions.
Read Charts and Stats
Understand graphs, statistics, and data presentations. Useful for school projects and informed decisions.
Civic Participation
Vote in All Elections
Show up for federal, state, and local elections. Participation skill for having your voice heard.
Volunteer for Campaigns
Help candidates and causes you support. Teamwork and advocacy skills for any cause you care about.
Join Community Organizations
Participate in groups working on issues you care about. Networking and collaboration skills.
Elections
Research Candidates
Look up candidates' backgrounds, positions, and track records. Use these research skills to evaluate any leader or expert.
Understand Your Ballot
Figure out what you're actually voting on, from president to local measures. Great skill for understanding any complex decision.
Register and Vote
Navigate the voting process from registration to casting your ballot. Learn to follow procedures in any formal process.
Legislative Process
Track How Bills Become Laws
Follow legislation from introduction to passage. Process understanding for any multi-step approval system.
Read Proposed Legislation
Understand what bills actually say beyond news headlines. Document analysis skill for any legal text.
Contact Legislators
Write and call your representatives about specific bills. Professional communication for influencing decisions.
AI Governance
Understand AI in Daily Life
Recognize when AI affects your decisions and choices. Helps you stay in control of technology instead of being controlled by it.
Protect Your Data from AI
Control what information AI systems collect about you. Essential privacy skill for the digital age.
Spot AI Bias and Unfairness
Recognize when AI systems treat people unfairly. Critical thinking skill for any automated decision-making.
Economy
Read Economic News
Understand what economic reports actually mean for your life. Make better decisions about jobs and money.
Figure Out Tax Impact
Calculate how tax changes affect your family's budget. Understand any policy that costs or saves you money.
Spot Economic BS
Recognize when politicians or media misuse economic statistics. Protect yourself from misleading financial information anywhere.
Civil Rights
Know Your Rights
Understand your basic rights in different situations. Stand up for yourself at school, work, and community.
Document Problems
Record incidents properly to build a case for change. Useful for addressing any unfair treatment.
File Complaints
Report discrimination and get help through official channels. Apply to any unfair situation.
Policy Analysis
Break Down Complex Policies
Simplify complicated policies to understand what they really do. Analysis for any complex system.
Identify Policy Winners and Losers
Figure out who benefits and who gets hurt by policy changes. Stakeholder analysis for major decisions.
Compare Policy Options
Evaluate different approaches to solving the same problem. Decision-making for choosing between alternatives.
Public Policy
Analyze Policy Changes
Figure out how new policies will actually affect you and your community. Evaluate any proposed change.
Write Public Comments
Submit effective feedback on government proposals. Practice persuasive writing and participating in decision-making.