PSYb2220 Introduction to political psychology

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Šerek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Marek Pour (lecturer)
Mgr. Jakub Brojáč (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Šerek, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Šerek, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! PSY222 Intro to political psychology
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 18 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course aims to introduce basic theories and current findings in political psychology. A particular focus is on the inter-connections between political psychology and the knowledge from traditional psychological disciplines, the cultivation of a critical view on psychological research of politics in terms of its potential and limitations, and the application of political psychology to current political events.
Learning outcomes
At after passing this course, students will be able:
- to understand basic concepts, findings and theories concerning the relation between an individual and politics;
- to understand the opportunities and the limitations of psychology in the study of politics;
- to employ political psychological knowledge to understand current political events;
- to asses psychological research studies of politics in terms of their quality, strengths and limitations;
- to write an argumentation essay supported by the literature.
Syllabus
  • 1. What is political psychology
  • 2. Psychology of electoral behavior
  • 3. Decision-making in international politics
  • 4. Dispositional approach to politics
  • 5. Psychology of political leaders
  • 6. Structure and function of political ideologies
  • 7. Moral foundations of political ideologies
  • 8. Psychology of political communication
  • 9. Metaphors in politics
  • 10. Group decision-making, democracy and legitimacy
  • 11. Psychology of deliberation
  • 12. Political socialization
Literature
  • COTTAM, Martha L., Elena MASTORS, Thomas PRESTON and Beth DIETZ. Introduction to political psychology. 3rd edition. and London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2016, x, 522. ISBN 9781848726727. info
  • HOUGHTON, David Patrick. Political psychology : situations, individuals, cases. Second edition. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015, x, 329. ISBN 9780415833820. info
  • The Oxford handbook of political psychology. Edited by Leonie Huddy - David O. Sears - Jack S. Levy. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013, xvii, 986. ISBN 9780199760107. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, classroom discussions, reading, written assignments based on reading.
Assessment methods
Active participation in seminars, submission of all written assignments based on reading materials, passing a final written test. A total sum of 41 or more points is needed to pass.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Teacher's information
Contact person is Jan Šerek (e-mail: serek@fss.muni.cz). Individual consultations take place after the sessions or can be arranged via e-mail.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/PSYb2220