Course Description
Comparison of the formation of attitudes and beliefs in democratic societies, as well as the varieties of political participation and representation.
Athena Title
Comparative Public Opinion
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in INTL 4670
Prerequisite
INTL 3200 or INTL 3200E or INTL 3300
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the role of public opinion in post-industrial democracies. Also, traditional forms of political participation, such as voting is contrasted with non-traditional forms such as grass-roots mobilization, protests and citizen's initiatives. Students should understand the nature of mass beliefs, the connections between public opinion and political behavior, the origins of value change, the social bases of party support and the relationship between attitudes and electoral behavior.
Topical Outline
1) The history of polling 2) How does polling work? 3) Public opinion and the political process 4) Forms of political participation 5) Opinion polls and elections 6) Protest politics and mass beliefs 7) Explaining value change 8) Confidence and trust in political institutions 9) Public opinion and its effects on regime support and protest politics
Syllabus