EVS185 Public Opinion in the EU

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2015
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Zuzana Ringlerová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Markéta Pitrová, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 13:30–15:00 U43
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to do the following:
• Describe the role of public opinion in a democratic society from four theoretical perspectives and apply these perspectives to empirical research
• Understand and evaluate research on public opinion in the EU
• Explain the main explanations of public opinion in the EU
• Describe the main empirical findings regarding public opinion in the EU
Syllabus
  • Course outline:
  • Week 1: Introduction of the course.
  • Week 2: What should the role of citizens be in a democratic society? What is public opinion?
  • Week 3: The most studied attitude in public opinion in the EU: Support for the EU.
  • Week 4: How do we measure political support for the EU?
  • Week 5: Explaining support for the EU. Political economy and rationality.
  • Week 6: Explaining support for the EU continued. Cueing rationality.
  • Week 7: Explaining support for the EU continued. Political psychology: cognitive mobilization and identity.
  • Week 8: Midterm exam
  • Week 9: How resilient is public support for the EU?
  • Week 10: Are citizens pliable? Political socialization.
  • Week 11: Are citizens pliable? Media effects.
  • Week 12: Political knowledge
  • Week 13: Does public opinion matter in the EU?
  • Examination period: Final exam
Literature
    required literature
  • All readings will be available through the library or through the course website.
Teaching methods
In this course, you will be learning new knowledge and skills in multiple ways:
• you will practice critical reading skills and acquire factual knowledge during your preparation for class (through critical reading of the assigned material and preparing discussion questions)
• you will practice discussion skills and critical analysis skills in class discussions
• you will learn additional empirical knowledge as well practice critical writing skills in your essays
Assessment methods
Course requirements and grading;
• Participation (15%)
• Quizzes (10%).
• Seminar paper (30%).
• Midterm exam (20%)
• Final exam (25%)
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught only once.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2014.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2015/EVS185