In democratic systems, citizens are the ultimate source of political authority. Yet citizens' place in modern democracies raises two key questions. First, how equipped are citizens to play their key democratic role? Second, how do we know what citizens want from politics and politicians? This course explores these two issues. It examines the nature and role of public opinion, focusing on how biases in individual information processing, and the provision of misinformation and disinformation, can impede individuals’ citizenship role. In today’s world of social media and fake news, can individuals form views and judgements in a way that contributes to the effective functioning of the democratic system? The course also examines the principal ways in which citizens’ views and judgements are identified. How are individual attitudes appraised, and what approaches and practices are best suited for measuring what the public wants of politics? Overall, this module enables students to explore how public attitudes are measured and some of the principal challenges to the role of citizens in modern democratic systems. The module enhances students’ conceptual and empirical capacities, and develops their skills and abilities for a range of careers, particularly those involving the measurement of citizen, public or consumer opinion.
Private Study: 128
Contact Hours: 22
Total: 150
Optional to the following courses:
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations (Bidiplôme)
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Foundation Year
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Year in Continental Europe or North America
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Language
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Year in Asia-Pacific
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with Quantitative Research
• BA (Hons) Economics and Politics
• BA (Hons) History and Politics
• BA (Hons) Philosophy and Politics
• BA (Hons) Sociology and Politics
• LLB (Hons) Law and Politics
Also available as an elective module and to short-term credit students
Main assessment methods
Policy brief (1,500 words) (40%)*
Methodology outline (2,500 words) (60%)*
*this element is pass compulsory and must be passed to achieved the learning outcomes of the module
Reassessment methods
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The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the requirements on citizens for the effective operation of modern democratic systems.
2 Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the ways in which individuals process information and the implications of these for the effective role of citizens within the political system.
3 Show an ability to identify conditions in which individual information processing might be subject to shortcomings, and in which improvements in this processing might be induced.
4 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the different ways in which individual and collective attitudes within a society are measured.
5 Design a methodologically rigorous approach to the measurement of public opinion on policy or social issues.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
