Guías Académicas

PUBLIC OPINION

PUBLIC OPINION

Estudios Globales / Global Studies

Curso 2023/2024

1. Subject Information

(Date last modified: 10-10-23 11:11)
Code
140509
Plan
405
ECTS
6.00
Type
Basic
Year
1
Duration
Second semester
Language
ENGLISH
Area
CIENCIA POLÍTICA Y DE LA ADMINISTRACIÓN
Departament
Derecho Público General
Virtual platform

Campus Virtual de la Universidad de Salamanca

Professor Information

Profesor/Profesora
María del Mar Martínez Rosón
Group/s
Único
Centre
Fac. Derecho
Office
157
Office hours
Upon request by email.
Web address
-
E-mail
roson@usal.es
Phone
-
Professor
Pablo Esteban Romero Medina
Group/s
Único
Centre
Fac. Derecho
Office
Espacio ACPA, Planta Jardín
Office hours
-
Web address
-
E-mail
promeromedina@usal.es
Phone
-

2. Association of the subject matter within the study plan

Curricular area to which the subject matter pertains.

FB: Formación Básica (Basic Training)

Purpose of the subject within the curricular area and study plan.

Basic course of the first year, provides basic theoretical and methodological training tools in political science, public opinion and survey data.

Professional profile.

The course is designed for careers analyzing public opinion polling and survey research.

3. Prerequisites

Basic Political Science concepts

4. Learning objectives

This course explores different issues related to public opinion. Beginning with the more simple questions like what public opinion is we will move to more complex topics as how it can be measured or what effects it has.

5. Contents

Theory.

  1. Public Opinion and Theories of Democracy
  2. Public Opinion and Other Concepts
  3. Political Socialization
  4. Opinion change and stability
  5. Questionnaires
  6. Voting surveys and voting explanations
  7. Dynamics of public opinion
  8. Postmaterialism and materialism
  9. Impact of Public Opinion on Policy

Practice.

  1. What is a survey?
  2. Conducting a  survey
  3. Examples of  surveys: CIS, Eurobarometer, European Social Survey, World Value Survey, AmericasBarometer, Latinobarómetro, AsianBarometer, PELA, LAPOP.
  4. The Questionnaire
  5. Data Collection
  6. Analysis and Report

6. Competences acquired

Basic / General.

CB1 CB2 CB3 CB4

CG2 CG3

Specific.

CE 19

7. Teaching methods

Each week is organized in two sessions. In one session will focus on different theoretical aspects based on the literature. In the second session, we will work with specific surveys and data from national and international institutions and projects like the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas or the Eurobarometer. The aim of the course is to bring to the student the analytical and conceptual tools needed to understand and analyze public opinion and surveys results.

8. Anticipated distribution of the use of the different teaching methods

9. Resources

Reference books.

Rosalee A. Clawson and Zoe M. Oxley. 2017. Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice. Sage.

Fisher et al. 2018. The Routledge Handbook of Elections, Voting Behavior and Public Opinion. London and New York: Routledge.

Donsbach and Traugott (eds). 2008. The SAGE Handbook of Public Opinion Research. London: Sage.

Bethlehem. 2018. Understanding Public Opinion Polls. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis Group.

Dalton. 2014. Citizen Politics. Chatham, NJ: Chatham House.

10. Assessment

General considerations.

All students are expected to keep up with the required readings and to attend classes.

Assessment criteria.

All late assignments will not be evaluated.

Assessment tools.

Course assignments:

Practical Exercises and Quizzes (10%): will evaluate your practical skills along the course.

Essay (20%): will evaluate your analytical skills along the course.

Final Exam (70%):  Multiple-choice exam will include theoretical and practical questions. It is necessary to obtain a minimum score of 4 out of 10 so this test can contribute to the final grade. In case of not reaching this minimum, you will have to repeat the exam in the second call, regardless of the score obtained in the other assignments. If you do not obtain a minimum score of 4 out of 10 in the second call you will not pass the course. Therefore, those students with a grade of less than 4 in the exam will suspend the subject and must re-enroll the following year.

Assessment recommendations.

Attend classes. Do the readings. Do the exercises and other assignments on time. All late assignments will not be evaluated. If you do not upload your exercises, quizzes and essays before the due date you will not have another opportunity.

Academic dishonesty will not be allowed.

Guidelines in the case of failing the subject.

You will have two opportunities to take the final exam. There are no opportunities to re-do all the other course assignments (essays, practical exercises, and quizzes). Final grade will be a weighted in the second call in the same way that the first one: Practical Exercises and Quizzes (10%), essays (20%), Final Exam (70%).

11. Weekly teaching organization