FIRST! Understanding New Hampshire's Presidential Primary
It's been 100 years since New Hampshire held its first presidential primary, and the story of this preeminent political contest is packed with colorful personalities and interesting anecdotes. This free online course will investigate the primary with an eye towards both the past and present. You'll learn about the history of the presidential nomination process, the role New Hampshire plays in the media's coverage of elections and how the state is often a proving ground for unknown candidates and fledging political operatives. Through a combination of video lectures, interactive activities and online discussions, we will explore the unique qualities of the First-in-the-Nation presidential primary and its impact on how the United States picks its presidents.
The Course
This free online course will investigate the primary with an eye towards both the past and present. Students will participate in online discussions, complete interactive modules and watch high-quality video lectures produced in partnership with New Hampshire Public Television.
The Experts
Dante Scala and Andy Smith are go-to sources for anyone curious about New Hampshire's presidential primary. Journalists around the world have them on speed dial. The books they've written are must-reads for political junkies. They've spent decades pondering the who, what and why of the primary. Scala and Smith are also funny and adept at explaining complex electoral issues to a general audience.