Public opinion is one of the central subjects of political science because democratic government depends, in part, on the preferences, beliefs, values, and identities of ordinary citizens. This seminar examines the development of public opinion as an intellectual field and explores the major questions that have animated scholars. How do people form political attitudes? To what extent are public preferences informed by knowledge, ideology, identities, emotions, and group affiliations? What are the interconnections between a person’s opinions and their behaviors? What role does public opinion play in shaping elections, policymaking, and democratic accountability?
The course surveys classic and contemporary scholarship on opinion formation, political psychology, media effects, misinformation, social influence, and democratic responsiveness, mainly within an American context. Students will engage competing theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches. Particular attention will be paid to debates over whether citizens possess coherent political beliefs, how public opinion changes, and whether democratic publics are capable of making informed collective judgments. By the end of the seminar, students will have a broad understanding of the major traditions, findings, controversies, and unanswered questions that define the study of public opinion.
Course grading will be based on weekly discussion questions, participation in seminar discussions, a paper connecting course topics to the student’s research interests, and a paper integrating major themes of the course.