Psychology of Citizen Politics
Political Science 367.01: Contemporary Issues in American Politics
Winter 2005
Monday, Wednesday 2:30 – 4:18 PM
136 Baker Systems Engineering Bldg.
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Professor Thomas E. Nelson |
Phone: 292-6408 |
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2044 Derby Hall |
e-mail: nelson.179@osu.edu |
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http://polisci.osu.edu/faculty/tnelson/ Office Hours: Wednesdays, 12:30 – 2:30 PM |
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Important Links: |
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Outline of Unit 1: Introduction to Social Science Thinking and Methods |
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Sources of Public Opinion Data: |
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This course is designed to accomplish two goals. The first is to teach you how to analyze political phenomena from a psychological perspective. The second is to help you to develop and improve your writing skills. In our readings we will examine some of the theories and research that take a psychological perspective on the political world, with a special focus on understanding ordinary citizens’ political attitudes and behaviors. In writing and editing papers in this class, you will not only learn about this field of study, but you will also sharpen your critical thinking skills and your ability to express yourself effectively in writing. You will also learn how to constructively critique the work of others.
Evaluation in the course will be based on your performance in three areas: writing assignments, a final examination, and class participation. You will write three papers: the first will be a short piece (2 pages maximum), the second somewhat longer (3-5 pages), and the third longer still (6-8 pages). Guidelines for each paper will be handed out in class and will be posted on the class website. You will submit rough drafts of the first two papers, and receive feedback from me. You will then turn in a final draft for grade. You will submit only a final draft of the third paper. You will also take a final examination, in multiple-choice format. Lastly, you will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the reading assignments.
The format of the course will usually be a lecture on Monday and either a discussion or class exercise on Wednesday. Class exercises will include in-class writing assignments, editing and critiquing of classmates' writing, and occasional videos.
Four books are required for purchase: How We Know What Isn’t So by Thomas Gilovich; The Media in American Politics by David Paletz; The Reasoning Voter (2nd Edition) by Samuel Popkin; and Essentials of English (5th Edition) by Hopper et al. All these books are available at SBX.
Grading Policy:
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First Paper |
10% |
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Second Paper |
25% |
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Third Paper |
35% |
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Final Examination |
25% |
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Class Participation |
5% |
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Class Schedule |
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Week |
Date |
Topic |
Reading |
Assignment |
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1 |
Jan. 3, 5 |
Introduction to Social Science Thinking and Methods |
Essentials of English |
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2 |
Jan. 10, 12 |
Public
Opinion and Voting |
The Reasoning Voter, chapters 1-3 |
Paper 1 first
draft due Jan. 12 |
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3 |
Jan. 19 (no class Jan. 17) |
Public Opinion and Voting II |
The Reasoning Voter, chapters 4-6 |
Paper 1 first draft returned Jan. 19 |
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4 |
Jan. 24, 26 |
Public Opinion and Voting III |
The Reasoning Voter, chapters 7, 10, 11 |
Paper 1 final draft due Jan. 26 |
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5 |
Jan. 31, Feb. 2 |
Mass
Media and Political Communication |
The Media in American Politics, chapters 1-5 |
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6 |
Feb. 7, 9 |
Mass
Media and Political Communication II |
The Media in American Politics, chapters 6-9 |
Paper 2 first draft due Feb. 9 |
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7 |
Feb. 14, 16 |
Mass
Media and Political Communication III |
The Media in American Politics, chapters 10-12, 14 |
Paper 2 first draft returned Feb. 16 |
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8 |
Feb. 21, 23 |
Political Thinking and Information Processing |
How We Know What Isn’t So, chapters 1-4 |
Paper 2 final due Feb. 23 |
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9 |
Feb. 28, March 2 |
Political
Thinking, II |
How We Know What Isn’t So, chapters 5-7 |
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10 |
March 7, 9 |
Political
Thinking, III |
How We Know What Isn’t So, chapters 8-11 |
Final examination March 9, in class |
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Final paper due by 5 pm Wednesday, March 16 |
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Paper assignments
This is a composition course, and the bulk of your grade
will be determined by your performance on the three writing assignments. You will write first drafts of the first two
papers, and I will provide extensive feedback on these drafts. You should incorporate this feedback into
your revised final drafts. First drafts
are required, not optional. I
will pass out clear guidelines for each paper in class, and will post them on
the class website. Papers must be sent
to me as email attachments, posted by the deadline. I accept Microsoft Word and
Word Perfect formats.
For a variety of reasons I do not assign letter grades to
papers, rather I give them a score based on the following scale. I will provide information about class norms
so that you can judge how you stand relative to your classmates.
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5 |
Excellent; fulfilled the
assignment well and showed special insight, creativity, or style. |
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4 |
Very good; fulfilled the assignment well, with one or
two minor shortcomings in logic, argumentation, or composition |
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3 |
Good; fulfilled the assignment adequately but with one or
two important shortcomings in logic, argumentation, or composition |
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2 |
Fair; only partially fulfilled the assignment and/or
numerous important shortcomings in logic, argumentation, or composition |
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1 |
Poor; failed to fulfill the assignment |
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-1 |
Did not complete the assignment |
Part of your grade in this course is based on
participation in class discussions. This
means making thoughtful contributions to our discussion of the course topics,
based on your readings, personal experiences, observations, etc.. You don't need to make brilliant statements
every time, but I hope you will make a sincere effort to participate.
An important part of participating in the class is
showing respect to your classmates and your professor. Disagreement is fine, and is expected, but
should always be respectful. Likewise, I
expect students to refrain from statements or actions that disrupt the flow of
the class. I consider the following to
be highly disruptive: using cell phones in class, sleeping in class, arriving
late, and leaving early. I will warn
those whose behavior I find especially disruptive, and then deduct points from
final grades as necessary.
What is it?
The Political Science Department operates a subject pool for researchers in the department. Students in this course may sign up for the pool and participate in three studies in exchange for extra credit. You can receive 2% in extra credit toward your final grade for every study you participate in.
What kinds of studies are there?
All different kinds. Some studies may require you to watch a few minutes of videotape, or participate in a simulation exercise. Others simply involve filling out a questionnaire. Each study lasts up to an hour.
Some studies require that subjects do not know the full intent and purpose of the study until after they have participated. If you would like to participate, but do not wish to be in one of these studies, please indicate that on the form at the bottom of the page.
How do I participate?
A signup sheet will be passed around in class. If you miss the chance to sign up, send me an email.