3.0

credits

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In a democracy, the views of citizens are intended to guide lawmakers as they shape public policy. This makes public opinion a central component in the study of democratic politics. In this course, we will investigate the origins, measurement, and structure of American public opinion and the consequences of public opinion for elections and public policy. The course will draw from theories in political science and psychology to explore how ideology, self-interest, group identity, personality, and morality impact opinion formation. Through this we will also investigate the content of contemporary public opinion on a variety of salient topics from immigration, income inequality, to the 2016 election. We will also investigate opinion change and the role of media, political leaders, and elites in shaping public attitudes through framing, agenda setting, and priming. In turn, the course will examine the relationship between public opinion and voting behavior and public policy and thus the implications for democratic theory.