Political Behavior & Identities

This field is concerned with understanding and explaining mass political behavior, opinion, and identities. This broadly includes the formation and acquisition of political attitudes, beliefs, and preferences by individuals and groups; how those beliefs, attitudes, and preferences, as well as various social identities, map onto political behaviors and decision-making. Specific areas of study within this field include the origin, nature, and measurement of public opinion; political psychology; voting and participation; campaigns and elections; media and information; political parties; collective action; and disruptive political action.

First Field

Coursework
  • POLSCI 701 Core in Political Behavior & Identity
  • 3 additional courses from the Political Behavior & Identities course listing
Preliminary examination

All students must complete a preliminary examination at the end of their second year which consists of a second year paper and an oral defense. The second year paper must be submitted to the student’s preliminary exam committee and the DGS by May 1st and the oral examination must be completed by May 15th. Students should speak with the field chair and their primary advisor(s) well in advance of these deadlines to ensure a shared understanding of what is expected.

Second Field

Coursework
  • POLSCI 701 Core in Political Behavior & Identity course
  • 3 additional courses from the Political Behavior & Identities course listing
Number Title Codes
POLSCI 114 From Voting to Protests: Introduction to Political Attitudes, Groups and Behaviors CCI, SS
POLSCI 115 Rules of Power: How Institutions Shape What Politics Deliver SS
POLSCI 171FS Political Polarization in the US: Causes and Consequences SS
POLSCI 172FS Racial Attitudes and Racial Politics in the United States CCI, EI, SS
POLSCI 201 Public Opinion EI, SS
POLSCI 202 Political Parties in Competition. Left, Right and Beyond. CCI, SS
POLSCI 205 Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics CCI, SS
POLSCI 208 How to Think in an Age of Political Polarization EI, W, CZ
POLSCI 237 Religion and Foreign Policy CCI, EI, CZ, SS
POLSCI 239S Political Communication in a Changing Media Environment R, SS
POLSCI 240 Political Psychology CCI, SS
POLSCI 258D From Machine Learning to Ethnography: Puzzles and Approaches to International Development CCI, SS
POLSCI 267 Religion and Politics in American History CCI, EI, CZ
POLSCI 291-4 Sophomore/Junior Independent Study Political Behavior and Identities
POLSCI 305S Black Politics SS
POLSCI 319S US Comparative State Politics CCI, SS
POLSCI 374S Watchdog News and Storytelling: Changing Forms of Accountability Journalism EI, W
POLSCI 375 News as a Moral Battleground EI, R, W, SS
POLSCI 390-4 Special Topics in Political Behavior and Identities
POLSCI 390S-4 Special Topics in Political Behavior and Identities
POLSCI 391-4 Senior Independent Study in Political Behavior and Identities
POLSCI 393-4 Sophomore/Junior Research Independent Study Political Behavior and Identities R
POLSCI 493-4 Senior Research Independent Study in Political Behavior and Identities R
POLSCI 501S Politics and Media in the United States R, STS, W, SS
POLSCI 505S Race in Comparative Perspective CCI, SS
POLSCI 506S Theorists of Modern Politics: Marx, Durkheim, Weber CCI, SS
POLSCI 521S Gender, Identity, and Public Policy R, SS
POLSCI 522S Comparative Party Politics CCI, R, SS
POLSCI 525S Race and American Politics CCI, SS
POLSCI 589S The Black Radical Tradition: COVID-19, #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd, and the Movement for Black Lives CCI, EI, SS
POLSCI 590-4 Intermediate Topics in Behavior and Identities
POLSCI 590S-4 Intermediate Topics in Behavior and Identities
POLSCI 634 Social Networks and Political Interdependence R, QS, SS
POLSCI 642 Global Inequality Research CCI, R, SS
POLSCI 690S-4 Advanced Topics in Political Behavior and Identities
POLSCI 701 Core in Political Behavior and Identity
POLSCI 702 Political Psychology (A)
POLSCI 703S Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics
POLSCI 704 Survey Methodology Practicum
POLSCI 706S Political Judgment and Decision Making
POLSCI 709S Research Seminar on the Politics of Behavior, Identities, and Institutions
POLSCI 711S Politics, Groups, and Identities
POLSCI 712S Values and Ideology
POLSCI 713 Workshop in Political Behavior and Identities
POLSCI 714 Workshop in Political Behavior and Identities II
POLSCI 718 Core Course in American Politics (BI, PI)
POLSCI 890-4 Political Behavior and Identities