Public Opinion in Europe: Political Influencers, Followers and democracy
| Module title | Public Opinion in Europe: Political Influencers, Followers and democracy |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3278 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Florian Stoeckel (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
The aim of this module is to familiarize you with a variety of topics and methodological approaches in the field of public opinion research. We will discuss basic concepts and theories of opinion formation. We will also review typical data sources, such as large-N public opinion surveys as well novel methods, such as focus groups and experiments. A major part of the second part of the class examines how individuals form political attitudes. We will discuss public opinion formation in relation to a variety of issues such as redistribution, gender equality, democracy, populism, tolerance, and immigration.
Module aims - intentions of the module
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.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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.
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 activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| 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 Study | 98 | Preparing for seminars: reading and research |
| Guided Independent Study | 158 | Completing assessment tasks: reading, research and writing |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation of paper outline at end of term 1 | 6 minutes | 1-9 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 40 | 2500 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| Essay 2 | 40 | 2500 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| Presentation (individual) | 20 | Presentation (individual) | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay (2,500 words) | 1-9 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Essay 2 | Essay 2500 words | 1-9 | August/Sept reassessment period |
| Individual Presentation | Written report covering the topic of presentation (900 words per missed presentation) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Dalton, Russel J (2014). Citizen Politics: Public Opinion and Political Parties in Advanced Industrial Democracies. London: Sage.
Duffy, B. (2018). The Perils of Perception. Glasgow: Atlantic Books.
Flynn, D., B. Nyhan and J. Reifler (2017). The nature and origins of misperceptions: understanding false and unsupported beliefs about politics.�Political Psychology�38 (S1): 127–150.
Ford, Robert, and Will Jennings. The changing cleavage politics of Western Europe.�Annual Review of Political Science�23 (2020): 295-314.
Jerit, Jennifer, and Yangzi Zhao. Political misinformation.�Annual Review of Political Science�23 (2020): 77-94.
Kahnemann, D. (2012). Thinking, Fast and Slow. London: Allen Lane/Penguin Books.
Norris, P. and R. Inglehart, 2018. Cultural Backlash: Trump, Brexit, and the Rise of Authoritarian Populism. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Noury, Abdul, and Gerard Roland. Identity Politics and Populism in Europe.�Annual Review of Political Science�23 (2020): 421-439.
Risse, T. (2010). A Community of Europeans? Ithaca: Cornell University.
Zaller, J. (1992). The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | none |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 28/01/2022 |
