Any changes in the syllabus will appear here.

PS 4293/6293
Political Behavior
Fall, 2015

Classroom: Bowen 160
Class Time: 11 MWF
Professor Stephen D. Shaffer
Professor's Office: 198 Bowen
Office Hours: 12-1 M-F
Prof's e-mail (use this, but put Behavior Class in Subject of e-mail): kauai@pspa.msstate.edu
Website: http://sds17.pspa.msstate.edu/classes/behavior/behavior.html

Learning Objectives:

This course examines how average citizens and public officials behave politically, and what shapes their behavior. In the first part of the course we shall study contemporary public opinion at both the national and state levels, attitude theories, and how political attitudes are obtained through the socialization process. Psychological processes that can lead to faulty decisionmaking will be studied by focusing on recent American Presidents. The mass media will be examined as a force which shapes people's attitudes and behavior.

In the second part of the course, we shall focus on political behavior directly. We will examine the ways in which people are politically active, and what influences how active they are. A major concern that shall be addressed is how we select the parties' candidates for President, and how people decide whom to vote for in November. Congressional elections will also be studied. In this class, we shall also discuss the interesting current events that are taking place this semester, such as the presidential election.

READINGS:

The required readings for this course shall come from the following paperback books that can be obtained from the bookstore:

American Public Opinion; 9th edition, Robert S. Erikson and Kent L. Tedin. Routledge publisher; 2014. ISBN: 9780133862676.

METHOD OF EVALUATION:

Undergraduates will have three grading opportunities, each worth one-third of the course grade. There will be a midsemester essay exam, a final non-cumulative essay exam, and a book report on the assigned book for this class. Failure to complete these requirements results in a failure grade for the course.

Graduate students will have four grading opportunities--the three listed above, plus a research paper. They should talk with me in the first week of class and decide on a topic for their research paper and get my approval of it.

In order to receive a particular grade for the course, you must have at least a solid minus for that letter. For example, three A- grades would result in an A for the course; two A- grades and one B+ would result in a B. It is very important to come to every class, and to do the assigned readings.

If you must miss a grading opportunity, you must notify me at least 24 hours prior to the grading opportunity, and the only acceptable excuses are personal or family illness. Makeups will then be scheduled.

You are encouraged to talk with me about any of the lectures or readings that you have difficulty understanding, or about the book review. I will be in my office during office hours, and much of the rest of the day until 3 PM.

Attendance is encouraged and shall be reported. While there is no specific penalty for low attendance, students with low attendance tend to do poorly. Those with low attendance tend to acquire undesirable reputations that can harm them in obtaining jobs or attending graduate or law school. Do not expect a professor to write a positive letter of recommendation for you if you have low class attendance.

Student Honor Code

Mississippi State has an approved Honor Code that applies to all students. The code is as follows: “As a Mississippi State University student, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.” Upon accepting admission to Mississippi State University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor Code. Student will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the MSU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor Code. For additional information, please visit this website.

Title IX.

MSU is committed to complying with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination, including violence and harassment, based on sex. This means that MSU’s educational programs and activities must be free from sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct. If you or someone you know has experienced sex discrimination, sexual violence and/or harassment by any member of the University community, you are encouraged to report the conduct to MSU’s Director of Title IX/EEO Programs at 325-8124 or by e-mail to: titleix@msstate.edu. Additional resources are available at http://www.msstate.edu/web/security, or at http://students.msstate.edu/sexualmisconduct/ .

Support Services.

Support Services Students who need academic accommodations based on a disability should visit the Office of Student Support Services, 01 Montgomery Hall, call 662-325-3335, or visit the website at www.sss.msstate.edu.

Classroom Behavior. Cell phone usage is banned in all classes. If you come to class late, or if you leave early, you should indicate in writing to the professor why you were late, or why you must leave early. Take a blank sheet of paper, print your last name and first name at the top, put your written explanation of your behavior on it, sign your signature, and submit it to the professor when you leave class. If you are absent for class for any reason, do the same, but submit the paper at the next class period. Also, you should not interrupt anyone else who is speaking, including the professor. Always raise your hand if you wish to be recognized to say anything. Also, please focus on the classroom subject when you are in class, so do not read the newspaper, play on your computer, talk to other students, or engage in any other activity that suggests that you are inattentive to the professor. These are elementary rules of good work behavior, and minimal expectations for positive recommendations when seeking jobs or graduate or law school entrance. Most importantly, be on time for every test, and don't be late with your book report.

COURSE OUTLINE:

WEEK 1: AUGUST 17-21
Public Opinion Polling
Read Erikson and Tedin, Chapters 1-2

WEEKS 2-3: AUGUST 24-SEPTEMBER 4
Public Opinion
Read Erikson and Tedin, Chapters 4, 7

WEEK 4: SEPTEMBER 9-11
Psychological Theories of Political Attitudes
Read Erikson and Tedin, Chapters 3, 6

WEEK 5: SEPTEMBER 14-18
The Mass Media
Read Erikson and Tedin, Chapter 8

MIDTERM EXAMINATION: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21:

WEEKS 6-7: SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 2
Socialization
Read Erikson and Tedin, Chapter 5

WEEKS 8-9: OCTOBER 7-16
Political Participation
Read Erikson and Tedin, Chapter 11

WEEK 10: OCTOBER 19-23
Presidential Nomination Politics
No assigned readings

WEEKS 11-12: OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 6
Presidential Election Politics
Read Erikson and Tedin, Chapter 9

WEEKS 13-14: NOVEMBER 9-NOVEMBER 20
Congressional Elections
Read Erikson and Tedin, Chapter 10

BOOK REPORTS DUE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20

GRADUATE STUDENT PAPERS DUE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23

WEEKS 15-16: NOVEMBER 23-30
Southern Politics
No assigned readings

FINAL, NON-CUMULATIVE ESSAY EXAM- Noon, Wednesday, December 9