Goucher College 2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalogue 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Goucher College 2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalogue PLEASE NOTE: This is an archived catalog. Programs are subject to change each academic year.

PSC 273 - American Political Behavior (3-4 Cr.)


This course is organized around three broad questions: (1) How do people form their political beliefs? (2) How do those beliefs translate into political behavior? (3) What are the political outcomes and ramifications of these behaviors? The first part of this course addresses the nature and origins of political beliefs and mass opinion.  We will focus on the roles that socialization, gender, religion, political knowledge, party identification, socioeconomic standing, and even genetics play in conditioning mass level political behavior. Next, we will explore vote determinants and theories of mass level participation. Particular attention will be paid to the variation of behavioral patterns across different demographics, while addressing general trends in participation and theories of voting behavior. Finally, we will consider the outcomes and patterns of political behavior drawing connections between public opinion and the behavior of government officials and institutions.  The major goal of this course is for students to gain an understanding of the origins of our political beliefs and the role of these beliefs in our American political system. Upon completion of this course, students should be familiar with the major theories of American political behavior, the development of the political behavior literature, and the current direction of the subfield.  A secondary goal of this course is to familiarize students with the quantitative approach to the study of politics.  Students should also be able to read, discuss, and critique the scholarly work done in the field. Prerequisite:   . Variable semesters. Kromer.