Module POL3271 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POL3271: Public Opinion, Post Factual Politics: New Challenges for Western Democracies
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The module aims to equip you with the tools to understand and critically evaluate public opinion research. The first part of the course deals with general theoretical frameworks. It addresses the formation of political attitudes and the relationship between parties and masses. The second part of the course applies these theoretical frameworks to specific issues. Since a lot of work in public opinion research is based on quantitative data, such as large-N surveys and survey experiments, an emphasis is also put on the development of skills needed to understand quantitative research. Hence you do not need any prior knowledge in this regard. We will also talk about ways in which you can develop your own public opinion survey. Additionally, you will learn to critically evaluate quantitative research in order to assess the extent to which a particular research design, data set, or analysis offers empirical support for the conclusion drawn by its author(s). The course follows a seminar style format that puts much weight on your involvement: the instructor will make brief remarks to introduce a topic, while the majority of the seminar builds on student presentations, student led discussions, and students’ reactions to the required readings.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate knowledge of the major theories in the field of public opinion research; 2. apply theories of opinion formation to various issues in the context of European politics; 3. demonstrate knowledge of basic and advanced methodologies used by public opinion researchers. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. understand and critically evaluate a broad spectrum of research designs, with a particular focus on quantitative research; 5. exercise informed judgment concerning the use of empirical evidence in support of an argument in published research; 6. synthesize competing theories to analyse new problems. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. demonstrate critical-thinking, in particular as related to quantitative evidence and conclusions; 8. demonstrate ability to present complex arguments with clarity and concision; 9. work independently and with peers to meet common research and assessment deadlines effectively. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- The nature of political attitudes
- Understanding quantitative research
- Theories of opinion formation
- Political sophistication and heuristics
- Political contestation I: left/right conflicts
- Political contestation II: cultural conflicts
- Models of voting behaviour
- The rise of populism
- The role of emotions
- Filter bubbles, misinformation, and social media
- Public support for democracy
- Tolerance
- The public divide over the EU and Brexit
- Identity politics I: cosmopolitanism and European identity
- Identity politics II: Anti-immigrant sentiments
- Identity politics III: far right parties
- Attitudes towards the redistribution of resources within and across nations
- Attitudes towards gender equality
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 44 | 2 hour weekly seminars with a mix of short formal lectures, student led seminar, and collective discussion |
| Guided independent studies | 98 | Preparing for seminars: reading and research |
| Guided independent study | 158 | Completing assessment tasks: reading, research and writing |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home/
http://europa.eu/index_en.htm
http://www.economist.com/world/europe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/eu
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france/institutions-and-politics/french-government/
