Season 1: Simple Civics
You probably took a government or civics class, but many of us still have questions about how it all works. WFYI's Simple Civics is here to help! In each episode, Butler University Professor of Political Science Terri Jett tackles a specific question, breaking down the history behind an issue and how it affects us today. It doesnt have to be complicated, so let's make it simple.
Senator Birch Bayh's final piece of landmark legislation is known as the Bayh-Dole Act.
What is the Bayh-Dole Act?
Senator Birch Bayh helped pass the 26th Amendment, giving 18 year-olds the right to vote
What is the 26th Amendment?
Explore how the 25th amendment cleared confusion about the transfer of presidential power.
What is the 25th Amendment?
Does the demographic makeup of congress match the diversity of the American population?
Diversity in Congress
Long before Europeans arrived in the U.S., Native Americans had sophisticated governments.
Native American Governments
U.S. Presidents since George Washington have used executive orders to move their agenda.
Executive Orders
Meet three trailblazing Hispanic leaders both past and present who have shaped our country
Hispanic Leaders
Lame Ducks & The Peaceful Transfer of Power
Learn what happens in the days between the presidential election and inauguration day.
Lame Ducks & The Peaceful Transfer of Power
How Does the Electoral College Work?
The Electoral College is used to decide presidential elections in the United States.
How Does the Electoral College Work?
How Are Supreme Court Justices Appointed?
Replacing a Supreme Court justice is no easy feat.
How Are Supreme Court Justices Appointed?
Debates are a staple of the election cycle these days, but that wasn't always the case.
History of Political Debates
History of the Electoral College
Dr. Terri Jett shares the history of the Electoral College and calls for a new system.
History of the Electoral College
How Does Campaign Finance Work?
It costs a lot of money to run any campaign for office, especially the presidency.
How Does Campaign Finance Work?
There's a reason some political districts seem to only elect members of one party.
What Is Gerrymandering?
Every 10 years, the U.S. embarks on a daunting task: count every resident in the country.
Why Do We Have A Census?
Should Washington, D.C. Be A State?
What would it take to make Washington, D.C. an official state?
Should Washington, D.C. Be A State?
What Does Disenfranchisement Look Like?
What did it look like when only certain groups of people were able to vote?
What Does Disenfranchisement Look Like?
A lot has changed for women in America since the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
Equal Rights for Women
Women have been running for the nation's highest office well before they had the right to.