AFST 30649 - Public Opinion and Political Behavior

Institution:

University of Notre Dame

Subject:

Africana Studies

Description:

A principal tenet underlying democratic governance is the belief that public opinion or the "will of the people" should dictate governmental behavior. To the extent this belief is a realistic consideration; difficult questions remain concerning the capacity for citizens to develop reasoned opinions and how to conceptualize and measure opinion. This course explores the foundations of political and social attitudes and the methodology used to observe what people think about politics. The course is structured around four key questions: 1). How reliable is the methodology of public opinion polling? 2). How do people acquire, organize, and change their political beliefs and attitudes? 3). What factors in the political world influence and shape public opinion, including the effects of the media, political events, and social forces? 4). What are the main lines of cleavage in American public opinion? How polarized is the American public and on what issues is there a consensus?

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.nd.edu

Phone Number:

(574) 631-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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