Public Opinion

An overview of public opinion in the United States. Topics include the content of citizens' opinions toward a wide range of political topics, the sources of people's opinions, and an evaluation of whether the opinions of the public matter (for policy, for governance, and for democracy). The course material is structured around important normative questions, such as: What is the role of citizens in a democratic society? Are citizens pliable? Do citizens organize their political thinking? Do citizens demonstrate and endorse democratic basics?