EVS185 Public Opinion in the EU

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2014
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Zuzana Ringlerová, Ph.D. (lecturer), prof. PhDr. Petr Kaniok, Ph.D. (deputy)
Mgr. et Mgr. Veronika Velička Zapletalová, Ph.D. (assistant)
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
there are 17 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives (in Czech)
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.;
• Apply four theoretical perspectives to empirical research on public opinion.;
• Understand and evaluate research on public opinion in the EU.;
• Understand important concepts commonly used in public opinion research.;
• Explain the main theories of sources of public opinion in the EU.;
• Describe the main empirical findings regarding public opinion in the EU.
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • Week 1 Introduction of the course.;
  • What should the role of citizens be in a democratic society? Week 2 What is public opinion?;
  • Studying public opinion empirically.;
  • Week 3 The most important attitude in public opinion in the EU: Support for the EU. What is support for the EU?;
  • Theory of political support. Week 4;
  • First part of the class:;
  • EXAM 1 (review material from weeks 1-3);
  • Second part of the class:; Week 5;
  • Explaining support for the EU. Political economy and rationality. Week 6;
  • Explaining support for the EU cont. Cueing rationality.; Week 7;
  • Annotated bibliography is due.;
  • Explaining support for the EU cont. Political psychology: cognitive mobilization and identity.; Week 8;
  • Are citizens pliable? Political socialization.; Week 9;
  • Are citizens pliable? Media effects.; Week 10;
  • First draft of your literature review is due. Submit a draft of your literature review essay in IS.; More about media effects.
  • Week 11;
  • First part of the class:;
  • EXAM 2;
  • Second part of the class:;
  • Peer-evaluation of literature review essays.; Week 12;
  • Do citizens organize their political thinking? Does the mass public think about the EU the same way as the elites do?; Week 13;
  • Third draft of your literature review essay is due. Edit your second draft (using the “Track changes” option in MS Word). Submit your edited draft to IS.; The relationship between the public and the elites. Who is cueing whom? Examination period;
  • The final draft of your literature review is due. Submit your literature review to IS and bring a hard copy to the instructor. Final exam is due.
Teaching methods (in Czech)
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 review essays
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Course requirements and grading;
• Participation (15% of your grade in the course).;
This class is driven by student discussion and interaction; thus, attendance is critical. Students are allowed a maximum of 1 unexcused absence, any more unexcused absence will affect the participation score. Absences can be excused only in extenuating circumstances (such as medical emergency). In most cases, you will be required to provide documentation of an emergency.;
Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the day’s readings. As part of getting ready for class, students are required to submit 2 discussion questions regarding week's readings.;
• Quizzes (10%). I expect to give 6-8 quizzes during the semester. The quizzes will regard the assigned readings and the material covered in class. Some will be pop up quizzes in class and others will be take home. Students will be allowed to drop one quiz score. Make up quizzes will not be given.;
• Annotated Bibliography (5%) • Review essay (25%). The literature review should be 5-6 double-spaced pages.;
• Exams (midterm 1 is worth 20%; midterm 2 is worth 20%; the final exam is worth 5%). Midterm exams will short exams. They will be a mix of multiple choice and essay questions. The final exam will take a form of an evaluative essay.;
How to write the final exam: In 2.5-3 double-spaced pages, reflectively evaluate the paper you have written and the work you have done for the class this semester. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your thinking, writing, your participation, your performance in this course, and assess your learning in this course.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
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 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2014, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2014/EVS185