POLS 1140

Public Opinion and American Democracy

This is a course on public opinion and American politics. We ask whether our best understanding of how citizens think and act lives up to what a functioning democracy requires. We consider classic debates and cutting edge research while also conducting our own original public opinion research.

Logistics

We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-3:50 pm.

Lecture

TTh 2:30-:350 pm

Syllabus

Download pdf

Assignments

Due on Canvas

Zoom

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Schedule

Slides Readings Notes Assignments
Week 1
What is Public Opinion?
Week 2
Ideology & Issues
Week 3
Political Knowledge
Week 4
Political Cognition
Week 5
Democratic Choice
Week 6
Social Groups & Identities
Week 7
Partisanship
Week 8
Race
Week 9
Spring Break
Week 10
Gender & Sexuality
Week 11
Personality and Socialization
Week 12
Influence and Persuasion
Week 13
Workshop
Week 14
Reading Week
Week 15
Class Presentations

Instructors

Paul Testa

Assistant Professor

Department of Political Science

Brown University <[email protected]>