2014 Congressional Elections MOOC

 

MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course interested in creating or hosting MOOC courses go to their website: mooc.org

This website was created for a MOOC online course that would cover a wide variety of topics related to the 2014 Congressional Elections (both the U.S. House and U. S. Senate). The content below was taken from its archived pages.

As a lawyer practicing in Houston, where policy and precedent often shape the outcomes of the cases I fight for, the 2014 Congressional Elections MOOC offered through Pace University was an eye-opening experience. I took this course not just out of civic curiosity but out of professional necessity—because the results of elections directly influence the legal tools and regulatory frameworks I rely on every day as a personal injury attorney to represent injured victims. From tort reform debates to funding for public safety initiatives, what happens in Congress affects the courtroom in very real ways.

What I appreciated most about this course was how clearly it laid out the stakes. It didn’t just track poll numbers or campaign slogans—it explored how shifts in congressional power can halt or drive forward legislation that impacts personal injury law, civil justice access, and consumer protections. It helped me understand the electoral process in a broader context, equipping me to better advocate for victims not just in the courtroom, but also as an engaged citizen who understands how policy is made. I’m grateful to Professor Caputo and the team at Pace for making such timely and well-structured content available to professionals like myself who depend on a just and informed legal system. Julia Stevenson

Now onward to the 2014 Congressional Elections MOOC course information.

What Will We Be Doing?

This MOOC will begin on March 3 and feature three modules per week for the next eight weeks ending the week of April 21st. It will be offered on Blackboard’s Course sites and is completely free. The first 500 completing the course will receive a non-degree certificate. You can sign up for the course by using a direct link which will be provided in a few days.

 

This MOOC is for those who wish to understand the 2014 Congressional elections and their impact. More is at stake than which party will control the House and the Senate! These elections will have an impact on the future policy choices the country will pursue, will help determine the success or failure of various programs supported by President Obama, and the 2014 elections will help set the stage for the 2016 presidential elections.

 

Each module will provide you with the information you need to better understand these elections. Presentations will include interviews and descriptions of actual campaign tactics and plans. The emphasis is on understanding the realities of a campaign and what is to be expected. You can suggest course topics and content by accessing our blog by February 22, 2014.

 

The MOOC is designed for those wanting an unbiased and objective analysis of the important elections. So please join us if you want to learn more about these elections and their potential impact on American public policy.

 

This MOOC offers no academic course credit, but it will provide you with the equivalent information taught in my credit bearing course. There are no tests or papers required. You will be asked to answer several takeaway questions at the end of each module. There will not be required readings but each MOOC lecture will include some suggested readings and other resources you will find helpful.

This MOOC is possible due to a Thinkfinity grant Professor Caputo received from Pace University. This grant was part of a series of grants made possible by a grant to Pace University by the Verizon Foundation. In addition Professor Caputo received an undergraduate research grant with Enxhi Brahja from Pace University. Enxhi has assisted in all phases of the project as part of the undergraduate research grant. We want to thank Pace's Office of the Provost and the Verizon Foundation for their support. We also want to thank Tobias Laforest who assisted us with the instructional technology. We will be acknowledging the others who have assisted at specific points as we proceed with the MOOC.

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Meet the Team

David A. Caputo

David A. Caputo received his BA from Miami University and his graduate degrees from Yale University. He has been involved with congressional and presidential elections since 1970 including teaching various election courses, serving as a consultant to various election reporting organizations and as an on-air commentator for ABC Radio, CNN and Fox News. He also has worked closely with C-SPAN as it developed its extensive video archives. He currently is President Emeritus and Professor of Political Science at Pace University in New York City where he is teaching a Congressional Elections Course. He has published numerous books and scholarly articles

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Enxhi Brahja

Enxhi Brahja is a sophomore at Pace University. She is currently studying Political Science/Economics and is planning on attending Law School upon graduation. Enxhi was selected to do undergraduate research with Dr. Caputo this academic year. She is an avid Wall Street Journal reader and enjoys traveling around the world. She has been involved in both the Federal Reserve Challenge and the Up to Us Competition.

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Tobias Laforest

Tobias Laforest is a senior at Pace University. He majors in Business Economics with a minor in Digital Art. Tobias has become increasingly involved at his school, leading the Economics Society and the Up to Us campaign. Most recently he has been brought on by the Student Government Association and the Roteract club to manage their marketing teams. Upon graduation Tobias hopes to work in the NYC startup scene developing real solutions for tomorrow. He was brought onto the project to manage the website and develop innovative tools to promote the MOOC.

 

More Background on CongressionalElections2014.com

 

CongressionalElections2014.com occupies a distinctive place in the history of online political education in the United States. Created as the public-facing website for a free Massive Open Online Course focused on the 2014 U.S. congressional elections, the site served as both an informational portal and a civic education platform during a pivotal political moment. Its purpose was not advocacy or campaign messaging, but education—offering structured, unbiased insight into how congressional elections operate, why they matter, and how their outcomes shape public policy and democratic governance.

At a time when political discourse was increasingly polarized and driven by rapid news cycles, CongressionalElections2014.com emphasized depth, context, and institutional understanding. The website functioned as a bridge between academic political science and real-world civic engagement, making university-level instruction accessible to a broad public audience.

Historical Context: Why the 2014 Congressional Elections Mattered

The 2014 midterm elections occurred during the second term of President Barack Obama and were widely viewed as a referendum on his administration. Control of both chambers of Congress was at stake, with implications extending far beyond partisan balance. These elections would influence legislative priorities, judicial confirmations, regulatory oversight, and the political landscape leading into the 2016 presidential race.

CongressionalElections2014.com was built around the idea that understanding these elections required more than tracking polling data or campaign rhetoric. Voters and observers needed insight into institutional power, electoral mechanics, campaign strategy, and policy consequences. The website’s educational framework reflected this broader understanding of what meaningful civic literacy entails.

Purpose and Goals of CongressionalElections2014.com

The primary goal of CongressionalElections2014.com was to support a free, non-credit online course designed to explain the 2014 congressional elections in a clear, objective, and comprehensive manner. The site outlined the scope of the course, its structure, and its educational philosophy.

Key goals included:

  • Providing an unbiased analysis of congressional elections

  • Explaining how campaign strategies function in real-world contexts

  • Demonstrating how election outcomes affect legislation and public policy

  • Encouraging informed civic participation

  • Making political education accessible to professionals, students, and the general public

The website explicitly rejected partisan framing. Instead, it emphasized analytical tools, historical precedent, and institutional knowledge, enabling participants to draw their own conclusions based on evidence and context.

Course Structure and Educational Design

The course associated with CongressionalElections2014.com was structured as an eight-week program beginning in early March 2014. Each week featured multiple modules, creating a steady and immersive learning experience without overwhelming participants.

Modules covered topics such as:

  • The structure and powers of Congress

  • Historical trends in midterm elections

  • Campaign organization and fundraising

  • Media strategy and political messaging

  • The role of interest groups and political action committees

  • Key House and Senate races

  • The impact of elections on presidential power

  • How congressional outcomes shape future elections

Each module included lectures, explanatory presentations, and end-of-module takeaway questions. These questions encouraged reflection and synthesis rather than rote memorization. While there were no required readings, participants were given suggested materials to explore topics in greater depth.

Accessibility and Platform Design

CongressionalElections2014.com emphasized accessibility. The course was free to enroll in, required no prior academic credentials, and imposed no exams or graded assignments. Participants who completed the course were eligible to receive a certificate of completion, reinforcing the project’s educational value without creating barriers to entry.

The website itself was designed to be clear and functional rather than visually elaborate. Its emphasis was on content clarity, ease of navigation, and instructional support. This reflected the broader philosophy of early MOOCs, which prioritized reach and substance over branding or monetization.

Academic Leadership and Contributors

The course and website were led by an experienced political scientist with decades of involvement in election analysis, teaching, and media commentary. His background included participation in congressional and presidential elections dating back to the early 1970s, as well as experience working with major broadcast and public affairs organizations.

Undergraduate students played significant roles in the project. Research assistants contributed to content development, background analysis, and organizational support. A student with expertise in economics and digital media helped manage the website and develop tools to promote the course and engage participants.

This collaborative structure reflected a broader educational mission: not only to teach participants about elections, but also to involve students directly in the creation of public-facing academic work.

Audience and Intended Participants

CongressionalElections2014.com targeted a diverse audience. It was designed for:

  • Citizens seeking a deeper understanding of U.S. elections

  • Professionals whose work is influenced by public policy and legislation

  • Students interested in political science or public affairs

  • Educators looking for supplemental instructional material

  • Lifelong learners interested in civic engagement

Testimonials and reflections associated with the course suggest that professionals, including legal practitioners, found the material particularly valuable. For such participants, understanding congressional elections was not merely an academic exercise but a practical necessity, as electoral outcomes shape regulatory frameworks, civil justice access, and public policy priorities.

Popularity and Reach

While precise enrollment figures are not publicly documented, the course attracted significant interest during its launch period. The promise of free, university-level instruction on a timely political topic aligned with the growing popularity of MOOCs in the early 2010s.

Listings in online course directories and academic MOOC aggregators helped expand awareness beyond the university’s immediate community. The site’s reach extended nationally and internationally, reflecting the global interest in U.S. political institutions and electoral processes.

Press, Media, and Academic Recognition

CongressionalElections2014.com did not pursue mainstream media attention in the way commercial or political sites often do. Instead, its recognition came through academic channels, online education listings, and word-of-mouth among educators and professionals.

Its inclusion in curated lists of free online courses starting in March 2014 signaled its relevance and credibility within the online learning ecosystem. This form of recognition aligned with the project’s educational mission rather than a publicity-driven approach.

Cultural and Social Significance

The site reflects a broader cultural moment in which universities were experimenting with digital platforms to expand access to education. CongressionalElections2014.com demonstrated how political science could be taught in real time, aligned with current events, and made accessible to a non-traditional audience.

Socially, the project contributed to efforts to strengthen democratic literacy. By explaining how congressional elections function and why they matter, the site helped counter misinformation, oversimplification, and disengagement. It encouraged participants to see elections not as isolated events, but as integral components of a larger institutional system.

Educational Impact and Legacy

Although the course itself was time-bound, CongressionalElections2014.com continues to hold historical value. Archived content from the site provides insight into how educators approached civic instruction during a critical political moment.

The project serves as an early example of how MOOCs can be used not just for technical or professional training, but for democratic education. Its emphasis on objectivity, institutional analysis, and public accessibility offers a model that remains relevant for future election-focused educational initiatives.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

  • Clear commitment to nonpartisan analysis

  • Strong academic leadership

  • Accessible format and free participation

  • Practical focus on real-world political processes

  • Integration of student research and collaboration

Limitations

  • Time-specific focus limited long-term updates

  • No academic credit may have discouraged some learners

  • Modest public visibility outside academic and MOOC circles

Despite these limitations, the project’s strengths define its lasting contribution.

 

CongressionalElections2014.com stands as a thoughtful and well-executed example of digital civic education. By combining academic rigor with public accessibility, it provided thousands of learners with tools to understand congressional elections beyond surface-level coverage.

The website’s legacy lies not in flashy design or viral reach, but in its commitment to informed citizenship. It demonstrates how universities can engage the public on urgent political topics while maintaining scholarly integrity and educational purpose.

CongressionalElections2014.com