Undergraduate Course: Political Behaviour: Opinions, Choices and Movements (PLIT10132)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course is an introduction to the study of comparative political behaviour. We will survey the major theoretical approaches and empirical research on the behaviour of non-elite political actors. |
| Course description |
Human actors are the foundation of everything we study about politics. Therefore, in order to have a full understanding of politics we must understand people¿s attitudes and behaviour. This perspective is the core rational for research in the field of political behaviour.
This course is an introduction to the study of comparative political behaviour. We will survey the major theoretical approaches and empirical research on the behaviour of non-elite political actors. "Behaviour" is interpreted quite broadly including psychological attachments, attitudes, beliefs and cognitive biases, in addition to various forms of overt behaviour such as voting, social movements and mass protest.
This is a seminar-style course. This means that the students are expected to read the material before class and participate in the discussion. The lecturer¿s role is mainly to moderate the discussion and provide guidance.
Some of the readings will have a quantitative element. This is inevitable in the study of empirical political behaviour research. However, the more important thing for us is the interpretation of findings rather than the details of the quantitative analyses. Therefore, no prior statistical training is necessary in order to be successful in this course that is intended as a bridge between students¿ substantive training and their understanding of quantitative political research using a variety of easily accessible comparative datasets.
Students will be expected to use graphical and/or tabular statistical evidence in their essays to help make their arguments through either a quantitative or qualitative research design.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 4 Politics/International Relations courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
** as numbers are limited, visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Office directly for admission to this course **
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| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Research Project (3000 words + analyses) 60%
2 reaction papers to course readings (20%; 1000 words each) 40%
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| Feedback |
Students will receive three key pieces of feedback prior to submitting their final papers namely two sets of comments on their reaction papers and direct discussions in class as well as during guidance and feedback hours. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of contemporary debates on political behaviour, from both a theoretical and empirical perspective.
- Explain theories of public opinion and relate these to contemporary and historical examples.
- Assess complex and interrelated systems that form the policy-making process.
- Present and develop testable hypotheses by matching theory to data and method.
- Communicate a detailed and reasoned argument through the use of the scientific method and supporting data based on qualitative and/or quantitative methods.
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Reading List
Clarke, Harold D., David Sanders, Marianne C. Stewart and Paul F. Whiteley. (2004). Political Choice in Britain. Oxford University Press
Dalton, Russell. (2008). Citizen Politics. Washington, DC: CQ Press
Dalton, R. J., & Klingemann, H. D. (Eds.) (2007). Oxford Handbook of Political Behavior. Oxford University Press
Norris, Pippa, Stefaan Walgrave, and Peter Van Aelst. (2005). ¿Who Demonstrates?¿ Comparative Politics 37: 189-205
Zaller, John. (1992) The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion. Cambridge University Press
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The course will teach students to be independent learners and researchers that take responsibility for the arguments they put forth.
Students will learn a variety of both new and old ideas theories as well as methodologies throughout the course and combined introduction to statistics.
Through their final papers, students will need to make careful decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought in order to present a well-reasoned argument.
In class discussions as well as each aspect of the course assessment will require careful debate and argumentation.
Many of the theories and methods discussed in the course will be unfamiliar to students and test their ability to adapt to new ideas and situations.
Students will be expected to have a clear plan and goal for their final paper working towards it throughout the course and its various assessments.
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| Keywords | politics,political actors |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ugur Ozdemir
Tel: (0131 6)50 3990
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Ian McClory
Tel: (0131 6)50 3932
Email: |
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