Unit name | Public Opinion and Democracy |
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Unit code | SOCI30072 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. Surridge |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit aims to: Encourage students to think critically about the relationship between public opinion and democracy Offer an overview of the mechanisms by which public opinion is linked to representation Develop an understanding of how public opinion is formed Consider the impact of social and political change on public opinion Understand tools used for the measurement and analysis of public opinion
Students will be able to
2 hour lecture and 1 hour seminar.
Critical evaluation of public opinion poll data
Assessment 1 tests learning outcomes 1 and 4, Assessment 2 tests learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Dalton, RJ (2008) Citizen Politics: Public Opinion and Parties Washington DC: CQ Press Denver, D et al (2012) Elections and Voters in Britain London: Palgrave MacMillan Inglehart, R (1990) Culture Shift in Advanced Industrial Society Cambridge: CUP Pattie, C et al (2004) Citizenship in Britain Cambridge: CUP Zaller, J (1992) The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion Cambridge: CUP