PS 314 Public Opinion

In a democracy, the preferences of the public are expected to guide government activity and policy. This makes a public opinion an important area of study for democratic politics. After examining the normative reasons for studying public opinion, we will examine the source of public opinion, how political institutions influence government’s responsiveness, and whether and how political elites can shape public opinion to further their own agendas. Prerequisite: PS 101 (PS141)

3 credit hours