Political Science 3180 Dr. Jay A. DeSart
Fall 2008 E-Mail: JDeSart@uvu.edu
Room: LA 124 Office: LA 030f (801) 863-6314
T, Th : 11:30 AM - 12:45 PMOffice Hours:T, Th 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
http://members.aol.com/DrDeSart/3180/ T, Th   3:00 PM  -  4:00 PM


Public Opinion and Political Behavior

“To speak with precision of public opinion is a task not unlike coming to grips with the Holy Ghost.”
V.O. Key Jr., 1961

I. Course Objective

        This course is designed to explore the formation and role of public opinion in American politics. One of the key principles of democratic theory is the sovereignty of the people. As such, in a democratic society such as the United States the notion of the "will of the people" is of significant importance to us in understanding how the political system operates.
        Therefore, to fully examine the nature and impact of public opinion on politics in America, we will focus on:
II. Required Textbooks

        Two textbooks have been ordered for the course and are available for purchase at the campus bookstore:
Erickson, Robert and Kent Tedin. American Public Opinion. Seventh Edition (Updated). Longman.

Norrander, Barbara and Clyde Wilcox. Understanding Public Opinion. 2nd Edition. CQ Press.


III. Expectations of Students

        Students are expected to keep up with assigned readings and participate in class discussion. Lecture and discussion will be much more meaningful if the students come to class prepared.  Furthermore, since we are in the midst of an election season it would also be helpful if students pay attention to the national media for campaign coverage as I will be using examples from the campaign to highlight points in the material.
        With respect to class attendance and participation, I direct you to your academic responsibilities as stated in the Student Code in the College Catalog:
    Each student is expected to take an active role in the learning process by meeting course requirements as specified in the written syllabus.
An "active role" includes regular attendance.  I will regularly take attendance, but whether or not you choose to attend is entirely your choice. However, you should be aware that missing class will hinder you in meeting course requirements.  By failing to attend class, for whatever reason, you assume the responsibility of your choice.  Class attendance and participation will factor into a student's grade when they are on the borderline between two grades.

       The Student Code also states that it is your responsibility to "maintain academic ethics and avoid dishonesty in all its forms". No academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this course. The penalty for a first offense is an "F" for the assignment or exam. A second offense will result in a failing grade for the course and you will be reported to the Department Chair and Student Advising for further action. For more information on the Student Code and for definitions of what constitutes "academic dishonesty" please refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the College Catalog.


IV. Grading

        The grades for this course will be based upon three examinations and one research project. The approximate weights of each of these items in the calculation of the course grade will be:

1st Exam – October 5 25%
2nd Exam – November 18 25%
Final Exam – December 18 30%
Research Project 20%

        Each of the exams will be part-objective (multiple choice and matching), and part-essay and will be given IN CLASS. The final exam will be cumulative, but will place emphasis on the final section of material in the course.
        There will be absolutely no make-up exams except under dire circumstances. In order for a student to be considered eligible for a make-up exam he/she must:
  1. Contact me prior to the exam to explain the circumstances
  2. Be able to furnish specific and official documentation (e.g. doctor's note) showing why it was not possible to take the exam at the specified date and time.
 Make-up exams will be scheduled in the Testing Center, and you should be aware that it is their policy to impose a $3.00 charge for this service.


V. Extra Credit

        Over the course of the semester there MAY be opportunities for extra credit. These will typically involve attending speaker events on campus and writing a short paper about it. These events will be announced in class at my discretion and only the announced events will be eligible for extra credit. Students will be limited to ONE extra credit opportunity for the term. The paper will only be worth an additional 3-5% of the total overall points for the class. In other words, you shouldn't count on the extra credit to save you from bad performance on the exams.



VI. KBYU/Utah Colleges Exit Poll

        As mentioned above, your grade will be based, in part, on a research project.  This project will involve your participation in the KBYU/Utah Colleges Exit Poll.  POLS 3180 students at UVU will be actively involved in the development and administration of the poll.  This will provide you with a first-hand experience in the process of public opinion research.  More details on this assignment will be given out in class and posted to the course web page.


VII. Student Needs

        I invite you to meet with me about any questions or concerns you may have about the class material during my scheduled office hours. If you have conflicts with those office hours, contact me and I will make an attempt to make an appointment at another time that is convenient to both of us. You can contact me via email at JDeSart@uvu.edu or via AOL Instant Messenger at screenname DrDeSart.
        Should any student experience a disability which might require special accommodations, the student is encouraged to contact the Accesibility Service Department [ASD], BU -146, (801) 863-8747, so that appropriate arrangements can be coordinated.  Special accomodations cannot be given unless and until the student has coordinated them with ASD.







VIII. Course Outline

Date Topic Readings
8/28 Introduction - The Public and the Political System E & T: 1, 6
N & W: Introduction
9/2
9/4 Measuring Public Opinion E & T: 2
N & W: Appendix
9/9
9/11 Sources of Public Opinion:
The Psychology of Opinion Formation		 E & T: pp. 58-72
9/16
9/18 Sources of Public Opinion:
Socialization		 E & T: 5
9/23
9/25 Sources of Public Opinion:
Group Differences		 E & T: 7
N & W: 1, 3
9/30
10/2 Sources of Public Opinion:
Media Influence and Elite Discourse 		E & T: 8
10/7 N & W: 2, 12
10/9 *** First Exam ***
10/14 The Organization of Public Opinion: Ideology

10/16 - Fall Break   NO CLASS
 E & T: pp. 72-83, 114-117
10/16
10/21
10/23 The Organization of Public Opinion: Partisanship E & T: pp. 83-91, 117-119
N & W: 9
10/28
10/30 The Content of Public Opinion: Economic Attitudes E & T: pp. 92-100
11/4 *** Election Day:   Exit Poll Project - NO CLASS ***
11/6 Post-election wrap-up and project debrief
11/11 The Content of Public Opinion: Racial Issues E & T: pp. 100-104
N & W: 5
11/13 The Content of Public Opinion: Moral Issues and Foreign Policy E & T: pp. 104-114
N & W: 6, 7
11/18 *** Second Exam ***
11/20 Opinion and Political Behavior: Participation N & W: 10
11/25
11/27 *** Thanksgiving Day - NO CLASS ***
12/2 Opinion and Political Behavior: Vote choice E & T: 9
12/4 N & W: 11
12/9 Public Opinion, Political Institutions, and Political Elites E & T: pp. 119-125,
ch. 10, 11
12/11 N & W: 13, 14
*** Final Exam   Thursday December 18   11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ***