POL41950 Public Opinion and Politics

Academic Year 2017/2018

This module draws insights into those who are at the heart of democracy – the people.
A central element of the representative process is the transmission of the ‘the public will’ into policy but in order to understand how (and how effectively) this happens we must first understand what ‘the public will’ is, how it is formed and how it is expressed. Thus the study of public opinion raises many questions: Who are the public? Can they ever be knowledgeable enough to express an informed opinion? Can parties and the media influence opinion? How do the public express their attitudes? Do politicians respond to public attitudes? To what extent do political institutions distort the message? What are the consequences of different public attitudes towards democracy itself? The module addresses these issues and introduces students to concepts such as issue publics, rational ignorance, framing theory, propaganda and watchdog models of the media, polling, participation and policy responsiveness.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

• Understand the complex relationship between public opinion and democracy in theory and practice.
• Assess the nature of mass political beliefs, including challenges to public knowledge and the boundaries of who the ‘public’ are.
• Evaluate the role of the media in the context of public attitude formation, including how it helps and hinders the democratic process.
• Consider the role of institutions and electoral systems in fostering the link between the public will and policy development.
• Understand the strengths and weaknesses of political polling.
• Evaluate policy responsiveness in contemporary western democracies.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Total

224
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.



 
Description % of Final Grade Timing
Essay: Research paper

50

 Coursework (End of Trimester)
Presentation: In-class presentation

20

 Unspecified
Assignment: Peer-review assignment

20

 Unspecified
Attendance: Attendance and participation (-3% for each unexcused absence)

10

 Throughout the Trimester

Compensation

This module is not passable by compensation

Resit Opportunities

In-semester assessment

Remediation

If you fail this module you may repeat, resit or substitute where permissible