Introduction to Public Opinion, Political Communications, Political Behavior

This is an introductory course in political behavior and communication that explores how citizens engagewith the political world and how the media shapes their behavior. The course serves three interrelatedgoals. First, it seeks to give an opportunity to students to familiarize themselves with some classic andnew approaches to the behavioral foundations of politics. Second, through the close reading of empiricalresearch, students are expected to develop a feel to identify strength and weaknesses in arguments andinferences based on data. Finally, a more nuanced understanding of how ordinary people behave in thepolitical world should inform participants understanding of the constraints on political systems posted bycitizens themselves.