Political Science 473G POT 1653
TR 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM, CB 234 Office Hours: TR 1:00-2:00
Fall 2009 Voice-mail: 257-7033 (email is much better!)
Email: mpeffl@uky.edu
CLASS WEB-PAGE
The syllabus is posted at my web-site (http://www.uky.edu/AS/PoliSci/Peffley/), where new material (e.g., lecture outlines, exam review questions, written assignments) is posted and updated throughout the semester.
READINGS
Several texts are assigned for this course, all of which are available at the university bookstores.
· Russell Brooker and Todd Schaefer. Public Opinion in the 21st Century Let the People Speak? 2006. (Used from $20.00)
In addition, several required readings are posted on the class web page.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Graduate students should see me about additional readings and a research paper.
2. Participation
Students are expected to have read and considered the course readings in preparation for each class. Students are also expected to participate in class discussions and to be ready to do so on the subject of the day. Class participation is 10% of the grade and will definitely influence borderline grades.
Our class time will not be spent simply "going over" the assigned readings. Rather, the readings will serve as a foundation and point of departure for lectures and discussions. It is, therefore, imperative that students complete the assigned readings before a particular topic is taken up in class. Also, the assigned readings should not be viewed as absolute truth. Read the material thoughtfully, challenge the conclusions of the authors, and voice your criticisms in class.
Students
should feel free to raise questions concerning the readings, the lectures, and
the comments of other students. In other words, meaningful participation
is strongly encouraged and will, no doubt, enhance the quality of our class
sessions.
3. Written Assignments
There will be several (2-3) short (3-4 page) written assignments designed to help students organize and think more reflectively about the material in the course, and to apply many of the issues we discuss in class to the "real world." The written assignments cannot be turned in late, except for university excused absences.
4. Examinations and Grades
Grades will be based on the following criteria:
Midterm 35% of Grade
Final Exam 40% of Grade
Written Assignments 15% of Grade
Class Participation 10% of Grade
While class attendance is not mandatory, exam questions will be based approximately equally on both the readings and class discussions. Also, if you aren’t in class you will miss the occasional written assignments and in-class exercises.
If a student has a university-excused absence, arrangements for a make-up exam may be made. (See Section 5.2.4.2, Part II of the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook for a definition of university-excused absences.) Note, however, that the format of a make-up will not be the same as the regular exam.
Tentative Reading List (it will change, so stay tuned to the website)
Normative and empirical perspectives on public opinion
I. Introduction (Aug. 27): An overview of the course
II. Normative Perspectives: What Role Should Public Opinion Play in Democratic Government? (Sep 1) 1-2 classes
Read: Brooker and Schaefer, Chs 1 (“A Decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind”) and 11 (“Should Government Listen? The Democratic Dilemma”)
Lecture Outline on Normative Bases of Public Opinion
Sept 3:
Film: “Recount: The Story of the 2000 Presidential Election” (Great
example of how elites shape, and are shaped by, public opinion)
III. Empirical Perspectives: Tools and Theories for Studying Public Opinion (Sep 10): 4-5 classes
Theories of the Survey Response
Read: Brooker and Schaefer, Chs 2 (“Measuring Public Opinion: Survey Research”), 3 (“Measuring Public Opinion: Other Methods”), and 4 (“Organizing Public Opinion”)
Lecture Outline on Empirical Bases of Public Opinion I: Mass Political Sophistication
Lecture Outline on Empirical Bases of Public Opinion II: Definitions, Theories*(added link to web survey on Political ideology)
Table-Strengths & Weaknesses of Surveys
Written
Assignment I, Due October 1st
* (formerly from Sept. 29)
Further Reading, Examples:
IV. The Structure and Content of Public Opinion (Sept 29): 4 classes
Read: Read: Brooker and Schaefer, Ch 4 (“Organizing Public Opinion”) and Ch 8 (“Public Opinion Today”)
Read: Hetherington & Weiler, Authoritarianism
and Polarization in American Politics, entire.
Regression Analysis: quick & dirty
Review Questions for Midterm ***(Qs on H&W added), Terms from Brooker & Schaefer & Class***
October
15: MIDTERM EXAMINATION
October
20: Film: “Sex & Violence”
October 19
(Monday): Official Midterm
November 6 -
Friday – Last day to withdraw
THE EXTERNAL SOURCES OF PUBLIC OPINION
V. Socialization & the Mass Media (Oct. 22): 2 classes
Read: Brooker and Schaefer, Chs 5 (“Sources of Public Opinion: Political Socialization”) & 6 (“The Mass Media and Public Opinion”)
Lecture Outline: Public Opinion and the News Media
Film: “News War, Part I” (Frontline)
Further Reading and Viewing:
“Misperceptions, the Media, and Iraq War” (The Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA))
“Jessica Lynch: Media Myth-Making in the Iraq War” (Journalism.org)
“New York Times Admits Iraq Faults” (BBC)
VI.
Events and Opinion Leadership (Oct 29): 4 classes
Read: Brooker and Schaefer, Ch 7
(“Historical Development of Political Issues”)
Read: Berinsky, In Time of War:
Understanding American Public Opinion from World War II to Iraq
Lecture Outline: Persuasion, Manipulation and
Propaganda
***Written Assignment II (Due Dec 3rd )
The Consequences of Public Opinion
VII. Public Opinion and Public Policy I: Welfare and Economic Policy (Nov 12): 3 classes
Read: Brooker and Schaefer, Ch 8 (“Public Opinion Today”): Extra credit
Gilens, “Racial
Attitudes and Race-Neutral Social Policies: White Opposition to Welfare and
the Politics of Racial Inequality”
Larry Bartels, “Homer Gets a Tax Cut”
Lecture Outline: Review Questions for Gilens & Bartels
Nov. 26: Thanksgiving break!
VIII. Public Opinion and Public Policy II: The Consequences of Public Opinion (Nov 24)
Read: Brooker and Schaefer, Ch 9 (“Speaking Up: The People Tell the Government What They Think”), 10 (“The Government Listens: Taking the Pulse of the People”), 12 (“Does the Government Listen? The Democratic Dialogue”), 13 (“The "New Referendum:" Presidential Approval”), 14 (“Public Opinion and American Politics at the Dawn of the Twenty-First Century”)
Lecture Outline: The Consequences of Public Opinion (to be added)
Final Review Questions, class (posted 1 week prior to final)
Dec 10: Last Day of Class
December 17: FINAL EXAMINATION:THURSDAY, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM