POL36060 Public Opinion: What Divides Voters?

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module examines the main divides in public opinion, which can help us understand current political movements such as the radical right, populism, far left and the growth of green parties. These movements are parts of political conflicts, in which voters are divided on key issues. We aim to understand these divides between voters, by first examining ideology (/values) and sociodemographic divisions. We thereafter dedicate the larger part of the module to studying different divides that are common in representative democracies. These are for example left-right, libertarian-authoritarian, urban/rural, feminism vs anti-feminism, populism vs anti-populism, just to name a few. These divides between voters are important to understand because they have large impacts on elections in representative democracies.

All of these divides can be understood as spatial dimensions that divide politics, where one can be placed on a spectrum as being ‘more’ or ‘less’ on one side or the other (or in ‘the middle’). Political science research suggests that these dimensions are vital parts of everyday language that simplify politics, used by voters and experts alike. This module delves into and uncovers what these dimensions actually mean, and why they become important. This will allow students to better understand current (as well as previous) trends in public opinion.

This module is taught by Mr Jesper Lindqvist.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will have improved their understanding of:
- The meanings of different political dimensions (such as left-right, libertarian-authoritarian, populism, feminism, etc.)
- The appeal of left- and right-wing extremism, as well as populist movements.
- Which political dimensions are important for voters in different representative democracies, and what factors contribute to this.
- What public opinion is, what causes opinions to be stable and conversely to change.
- The effects of political dimensions, public opinion and strategy on voting.

Student will also develop their:
- Ability to understand the scientific literature, and in particular their ability to identify research puzzles and knowledge gaps.
- Research skills, and a better understanding of the research process in political science more generally.

Indicative Module Content:

Ideology and issue attitudes.
Cleavage politics.
Spatial dimensions of opinion such as (but not limited to):
- Left-right politics
- Ethnicity
- Religion
- Gender
- Populism
- Libertarianism-authoritarianism
- Immigration

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

176
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures.
Class discussions.
Peer-to-peer learning through discussion groups.
Critical writing – critiquing published research.
Group work through student presentations. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Group presentation Unspecified n/a Graded No

20
Essay: Critique of a journal article Unspecified n/a Graded No

40
Assignment: Research proposal Unspecified n/a Graded No

40

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Each assignment will receive a grade and individual feedback. This will be given to the student within 20 working days of the assignment deadline, in accordance with university guidelines.