Class Calendar Length
Semester-Long
Grade Levels
11, 12
Prerequisites
POL1400 – Intro to American Politics
Seats Available
10
Course Description
American National Elections is an advanced political science course examining the institutions, processes, behaviors, and strategies shaping elections in the United States. Students investigate voting rights, political parties, campaigns, public opinion, polling, media influence, campaign finance, electoral geography, voter behavior, and election law. Through historical and contemporary case studies, learners analyze how campaigns operate and how election outcomes influence governance.
The curriculum emphasizes campaign simulations, data analysis, polling research, media literacy, and critical inquiry. Aligned with Massachusetts frameworks, the course equips students with essential civic tools, fostering deep political understanding and active democratic participation throughout their high school academic journey.
Key Outcomes
- Apply political science concepts to real world elections.
- Interpret polling, demographic, and electoral data accurately.
- Evaluate political parties, campaigns, media, and public opinion.
Mass. State Standards
- USG.2.1 (Political Actors & Behavior)
- USG.2.3 (Policy Development)
- USG.4.1 (Civic Action & Application)
About the Instructor
Dr. Bruce Pontbriand is a founding faculty member at TechBoston Academy in the Boston Public Schools, teaching Civics and Government since 2005. He holds a PhD in Educational Administration from Boston College, focusing his doctoral research on project based learning. Known to students as Dr. P, he is a 2022 NEASC Service Award recipient with over 28 years of experience. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Pontbriand serves as the Human Resource Director for TechBoston Academy and Accreditation Coordinator for the Boston Public School district. He remains deeply committed to fostering youth leadership and helping students drive positive change in their communities.