Media and Public Opinion Lab

1 Credit · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Today’s citizens are constantly peppered with information about public opinion, much of it from polls. To make sense of this information, and public opinion, this course will provide students with some of the empirical analysis skills necessary to function effectively in a democratic society. In this way, students will gain a better understanding of the world around them by making informed judgments about information and its sources. There are many benefits to learning how to analyze and evaluate public opinion. For example, this course introduces students to some of the skill set elements necessary to conduct research or work in the following fields: a survey research organization, an interest group, a political campaign, government, or journalism. Students will learn a variety of research design and analysis concepts with a focus on public opinion and its impact on politics in the following areas: Political socialization, Mass media, Political knowledge, and Policymaking.