Major methods and findings of survey research, with particular attention to attitudes and beliefs and their implications for the role of citizens in a representative democracy.
Athena Title
Public Opinion and Amer Democr
Prerequisite
POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will critically examine competing psychological and theoretical explanations for public opinion formation.
Students will evaluate the validity and reliability of empirical research, polling data, and media sources.
Students will develop well-reasoned arguments using empirical evidence and theoretical insights.
Students will apply public opinion models and methodological expertise to real-world political phenomena and public opinion data
Students will compare and contrast findings across studies and identify significant trends in public opinion.
Students will interpret and communicate conclusions from data analyses through presentations and written assignments.
Students will write clearly organized essays that articulate evidence-based claims.
Topical Outline
Public Opinion and Democracy
Polling
Micro-Level Determinants of Opinion
Political Socialization
Groups and Opinion
The Media and Public Opinion
Interest Groups, Political Parties, and Opinion
Public Opinion and Elections
The Opinion-Policy Linkage
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
