Spring 2022 - POL 830 G100
Political Opinion, Electoral Behaviour and Democratic Legitimacy (5)
Class Number: 5237
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Eline de Rooij
ead2@sfu.ca
1 778 782-5858
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Surveys major approaches in the field of political behaviour. It focuses on understanding political beliefs and actions, and the implications of individual choices for collective outcomes. Topics may include: political socialization, public opinion and ideology, voting behaviour, protest, political knowledge, social and media influence, prejudice and tolerance, and political inequality.
COURSE DETAILS:
This seminar surveys major approaches in the field of mass political behaviour. It focuses on understanding political beliefs and actions, and the implications of individual choices for collective outcomes. Topics include: voting and elections, political socialization and partisanship, public opinion formation, democratic values and value change, ideology, vote choice, social and media influence, and social movements and protest. We will examine these topics from a comparative perspective, but with some emphasis on Canadian political behaviour where appropriate.
Note that much of the reading in this course employs quantitative methods. Students are encouraged to have taken introductory statistics (or equivalent) prior to taking this course, but we will also review how to interpret statistical analyses.
Students are expected to attend regularly, to have read the designated readings prior to each session, and to actively and critically participate in seminar discussions.
There will be one four-hour seminar each week.
Grading
- Weekly discussion questions and class participation 12%
- Leading of class discussion 8%
- Short papers (4) 32%
- Research paper draft 15%
- Research paper presentation 8%
- Final research paper 25%
NOTES:
* Note: Students are required to submit their short papers and draft and final research paper to Turnitin.com to get credit for the assignment.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Materials for this course will be made available through Canvas or the SFU library.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022
Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place. Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes. You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).
Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required. You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.