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Civics Break E-News
A roundup of civic education resources on the judiciary, courts, and the rule of law — compiled by staff and student research assistants at the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School.
Dear friends,
Welcome to the first Civics Break newsletter of 2026! I’m Eric, communications manager at the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law, and I’ve been part of the Civics Break project since the beginning — when we first decided to create and test a civics course for working adults. While the project has grown over time (including new initiatives like this newsletter), our short online course remains at the heart of Civics Break.
We’re glad to be part of a large and growing community of organizations offering online civic learning. In this edition, we’re highlighting just a few of those courses from our peers, many with a specific focus on topics like the U.S. Constitution, civic engagement, and even math! I’m currently taking one of the courses featured here, We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy, and have really enjoyed the chance to reflect on my own civic voice.
Still, if learning about the judiciary and the courts is what you’re most interested in, I encourage you to start with Civics Break. You can jump right in on YouTube (no login required) and complete the entire course, a three-video series, in under an hour. Afterward, you can take a short quiz and survey to earn a digital certificate — and, we hope, share the course with a friend or colleague.
Here’s to making 2026 a tremendous year for civics as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Happy learning!
Eric Surber
Communications Manager
Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School
P.S. If you know of civics resources we should share with our community of judges, lawyers, students, and others who care about the judiciary, please email your suggestions to bolchjudicialinstitute@law.duke.edu.
Featured Civics Courses
Disclaimer: Links to external sites and materials are provided for reference purposes. The Bolch Judicial Institute is not responsible for this content or its availability.
The University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Key Constitutional Concepts and Supreme Court Cases
This course dives into the U.S. Constitution through the lens of its most important Supreme Court decisions. You’ll trace the Constitution’s origins, its evolution through amendments, and competing theories of interpretation — all while exploring federalism and the scope of individual rights. And, fun fact: it’s taught by the great-great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt. Complete at your own pace for free on Coursera.
⌛ 4 modules, 6 hours to complete
🧑🎓 Click here to join for free
Johns Hopkins University
The Mathematics of Democracy, Politics and Manipulation
Interested in where math meets democracy? This Johns Hopkins course breaks down the numbers behind our electoral systems, from voting theory to the Electoral College to gerrymandering. Learn for free at your own pace on Coursera.
⌛ 8 modules, 20 hours to complete
🧑🎓 Click here to join for free
Center for Civic Education
Strengthening Democracy in America Series
These 10 free courses series from the Center for Civic Education provide an overview of the American political system before diving into its strengths, weaknesses, and proposed remedies. Each course features an interview with a subject matter expert along with videos and discussion questions.
⌛ 10 courses, 6 hours to complete each course
🧑🎓 Click here to join for free
Harvard Kennedy School
We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy
This civic engagement course from the Harvard Kennedy School helps participants build a foundation in American constitutional principles while developing their own civic voice. The course covers rights and responsibilities, the philosophical roots of democracy, and how citizens create change. It’s self-paced over about 7 weeks. You can audit for free or earn a Verified Certificate (fee) for full access and a certificate of completion.
⌛ 7 weeks to complete
🧑🎓 Click here to audit or pay course fee
Yale University
America's Written Constitution and America's Unwritten Constitution
In this two-part course, you’ll first learn the basics of the U.S. Constitution, then examine how the courts have interpreted and reshaped it over time. It’s perfect for anyone interested in how judicial precedent, not just amendments, defines the rule of law. Enroll for free and learn at your own pace.
⌛ 2 courses, 20 hours to complete each course
🧑🎓 Click here to join Part 1 for free
🧑🎓 Click here to join Part 2 for free
Upcoming Events & Webinars
Online Webinar – Center for Civic Education
America 250: Reimagining 1776 for Today’s Classrooms
As the nation nears the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Center for Civic Education invites educators to rethink how the founding era is taught. This session explores approaches that both empower students and broaden who is included in the story.
Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7:00 p.m. ET • 1 hour
🔗 REGISTER HERE
Online Webinar – National Constitution Center
The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution
Legal scholar William Ewald sits down with Jesse Wegman of The New York Times to discuss Wegman’s new book, The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution, which examines the influence of the often-overlooked Founding Father and Supreme Court Justice James Wilson.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 12:00 p.m. ET • 1 hour
🔗 REGISTER HERE
Online Webinar – National Constitution Center
The Declaration of Independence and the Push for Racial Equality
In celebration of Black History Month, scholars Lucas Morel and Melvin Rogers explore how African American leaders — including Prince Hall, Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, and Martin Luther King Jr. — have drawn on the principles of the Declaration of Independence to press America toward greater freedom and equality.
Monday, Feb. 2 at 1:00 p.m. ET • 1 hour
🔗 REGISTER HERE
Live Podcast – Constituting America
Constitution Chats
Constituting America records its weekly podcast live on Zoom, featuring conversations with civics experts about timely constitutional issues. Recent episodes have spotlighted the Monroe Doctrine’s modern relevance and the legacy of the Gettysburg Address. Participants won’t appear on camera but can take part in the live Q&A, and upcoming topics are shared in advance.
Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. ET
🔗 REGISTER HERE
Support Civics Break
Your support makes a difference! Tax-deductible gifts to the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School help us in our mission to educate the public about the judiciary, courts, and the rule of law. Give online or contact Melinda Vaughn if you have any questions about how to get involved!
