Jan. 31      Introduction and Organization of course

Suggested Reading:

Converse, Philip E. 1987.  "Changing Conceptions of Public Opinion in the Political Process."  Public Opinion Quarterly.

"The Future Study of Public Opinion: A Symposium"

Feb. 7          Public Opinion and Republican Hegemony

                     Hacker and Pierson, Off Center pp. 1-106, Part 1

Feb. 14       Hacker and Pierson, Off Center, pp. 109-223, Part 2.

Feb. 21        Methods of Public Opinion Research

 Readings:Erikson and Tedin, American  Public Opinion, Ch. 2 ; Read the FAQ on right panel of Mystery Pollster.com   and

20 Questions You Should Ask About Opinion Polls

Feb. 28      Micro Public Opinion Formation

                 Reading: Erikson and Tedin, Ch. 3, 5, 6;       Abramson, Ch. 8.

Party Identification Update

Mar. 7        Macro Public Opinion: Health Care, Terrorism, Abortion,
                               Taxes, Civil Rights, Iraq, Defense, sexual equality  

Reading:  Erikson and Tedin, Ch. 4; supplemental bibliography to be passed out to Discussants for the evening.

New York Times articles and commentary on Bush’s “Victory in Iraq” speech:

Scott Shane. “Bush's Speech on Iraq War Echoes Voice of an Analyst.” New York Times, December 4, 2005.
Frank Rich. “It Takes a Potemkin Village.” New York Times, December 11, 2005.

John Mueller. 2005. “The Iraq Syndrome.”

The Press and Public Misperceptions About the Iraq War

Mar. 14             Continuation of Presentations on Macro Opinion

Mar.21       Group Differences in Public Opinion: Race, Age,          
                     Gender, Religion, Class, Region

Required Reading: Erikson and Tedin,  Ch. 7; Abramson, Ch. 5; supplemental bibliography to be passed out to Discussants for the evening.

Suggested Reading on Race:

·        Carmine and Stimson, Issue Evolution: Race and Transformation of American Politics
·        Michael Dawson, Black Visions
·        Schuman, Steeh, and Bobo, Racial Attitudes in America

·        Donald R. Kinder and Lynn M. Sanders, Divided by Color
·      Smith and Seltzer, Race, Class and Culture, A Study of Afro-American Public Opinion

·       Hochchild, Facing Up To The American Dream

Mar. 28       Continued Presentations on Group Differences

Apr.11             Theory of Mass Media
                              Reading:                  Read: John Zaller, A Theory of Media Politics, Ch.1,2 ,8. and New Chapter 1  for class; and then read the entire of Zaller over spring break in preparation for the paper  assignment. Click on Research and grading icon on the left panel of the website for paper instructions. 

Apr. 25              The Press Effect In the 2000 Election

                             Reading: Chap. 1-4; Erikson and Tedin, Ch. 8

May 2             The Press Effect Continued
                              Reading: 5-7

May 2                2004 Election
                                Reading: Abramson, Chaps. 1,2,3 and 4

May 9                 2004 Election
                                  Reading: Abramson, Chaps. 6, 7, 8; Erikson and
                                            Tedin, Ch. 9

May 16                 2004 Election and the Future of American Politics
                                   Reading: Abramson, Parts 3 and 4

May 22               Final Exam due in my Box in Dept. Office.