Module overview
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply existing theoretical frameworks to explain contemporary examples of public opinion
- Recognise the different sorts of research methods that can help us identify and analyse political beliefs and behaviour
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply theories of political behaviour to empirical data relating to public psychology and political behaviour
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Demonstrate understanding of key theories in political behaviour
- Explain some of the determinants of political attitudes and the processes through which people form their opinions
Syllabus
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Teaching | 30 |
Independent Study | 120 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Lecture/seminar room with presentation equipment..
Other. Students will be encouraged to acquaint themselves with survey data from the British Social Attitudes Survey, British Election Study, American National Election Studies and other sources of information on political attitudes. They will be encouraged to relate ideas from the module to current events in politics, e.g. public opinion on particular issues, the public response to events. These sorts of material will also be relevant to the research project.
Internet Resources
Introduction to Political Psychology.
Journal Articles
Larry M. Bartels (1993). Messages Received: The Political Impact of Media Exposure. American Political Science Review, 87, pp. 267-285.
Jon A. Krosnick and Donald R. Kinder (1990). Altering the Foundations of Public Support for the President through Priming. American Political Science Review, 84, pp. 497-512.
Textbooks
Paul M. Kellstedt, and Guy D. Whitten. (2013). The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Morris P. Fiorina (1981). Retrospective Voting in American National Elections. New Haven: Yale University Press.
John Zaller (1992). The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion . Cambridge. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Arthur Lupia, Mathew D. McCubbins, and Samuel L. Popkin (eds.). (2000). Elements of Reason: Cognition, Choice, and the Bounds of Rationality.. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pippa Norris (2022). In Praise of Skepticism: Trust But Verify. New York: Oxford University Press.
Donald Green, Bradley Palmquist, and Eric Schickler (2004). Partisan Hearts and Minds. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Russell J. Dalton and Hans-Dieter Klingemann (eds.). (2007). Oxford Handbook of Political Behavior. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
David O. Sears, Leonie Huddy, and Robert Jervis (2003). Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
James A. Stimson (2004). Tides of Consent: How Public Opinion Shapes American Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Shanto Iyengar and Donald Kinder (1987). News That Matters.. Chicago: Chicago University Press.
Jane Green, Will Jennings (2017). The Politics of Competence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
1. Five bi-weekly Blackboard quizzes on the readings. 15%. 2. Learning log (three topics), up to 1,200 words, 25%. Formative mock learning log (0%) is optional. 3. Research project report (Individual report of the project carried out by the group). 60%. If a resit is required, this will be assessed on the research project report alone (100%). The research project is designed as an empirical analysis of political behaviour. This may employ either qualitative or quantitative methods, e.g. it may use descriptive/inferential statistics or undertake a case study of a particular event or set of events. Key is that you must make use of empirical data to test theories encountered on the course. You will make use of an existing dataset (e.g. the British Election Study), or create your own data with your group.Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Online test | 15% |
Research project Report | 60% |
Reflective report | 25% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Research project Report | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Learning log | 25% |
Online test | 15% |
Research project Report | 60% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External