POLI 324

Political Process, Theory, and Thought

Students will become familiar with basic theories and controversies in political psychology by reading a selection of classic and contemporary works in the field.

Political Process, Theory, and Thought

Because reading assignments include journal articles and book chapters with heavy theoretical and empirical emphasis, they will gain a better understanding of how to read contemporary work in political psychology and evaluate the theory, empirical results, and substantive implications of the work.

Political Process, Theory, and Thought

Because the course is structured as a seminar, students will be expected to come to class prepared and participate actively in class discussions.  The goals of class discussions include a better understanding of the course reading, critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each reading, and increased understanding of the implications of the reading for contemporary democracy. 

Effective and Professional Writing

Students will complete a major paper as part of the course requirements.  This paper will include a full experimental research design that addresses a meaningful research question in political psychology.

Effective Research and Analysis

Students will better understand the strengths and weaknesses of various research methods, including in-depth interviews, surveys, lab and field experiments, and other approaches found in political psychology.

Effective Research and Analysis

Students will read, evaluate, and discuss a selection of the most important works in political psychology, with a special focus on the psychology of mass political behavior.  Because much of this work is quantitative, students will gain experience understanding and critically assessing research design and quantitative results.

Effective Citation

In completing the course paper, students will cite sources properly.

Participation in Political Processes

Because a major theme of the course is the political psychology of political participation, students will better understand why individuals do (or do not) participate in politics.  Students will gain a greater appreciation for the role of political participation in contemporary democracy.

Critical Thinking and Analysis

Students will critically evaluate, assess, and discuss both empirical results of classic and contemporary work in political psychology and their implications for our understanding of democracy.

Critical Thinking and Analysis

Students will practice the skills of attentive reading, thoughtful questioning, meaningful group discussion, and compelling writing.

Politics, International Relations, and Political Philosophy

Demonstrate a familiarity with each of the four major subfields of political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political philosophy.

Political Process, Theory, and Thought

Possess a factual and theoretical knowledge of countries, political processes, political theories, and political thought.

Effective Research and Analysis

Use appropriate methods of analysis and research, including qualitative and quantitative methods, historical comparison, and textual interpretation to answer political questions.

Effective and Professional Writing

Write professional grade research papers on political science questions.

Critical Thinking and Analysis

Think critically, analytically, and synthetically.

Participation in Political Processes

Participate effectively in political processes by having an appropriate knowledge of international and national politics and political thought.