This course explores the formation and measurement of mass public opinion in the United States. We first cover public opinion measurement, closely analyzing polls and surveys. We then discuss how attitudes are formed—discussing political socialization, the development of party identification, ideology and the role of the media. We also discuss the importance of group identities, values, and personality in shaping attitudes. Lastly, we close with a discussion of the relationship between public opinion, political elites and public policy. To apply these concepts, students conduct an exit poll during the November election (during election years) or an online survey of public opinion (during non-election years).

Latinas/os/xs are the largest ethnoracial minority group in the United States. This course starts with an overview of the foundation of Latinx politics as an area of inquiry and how Latinas/os/xs emerged as a key political group. We discuss the history of several national origin groups, including Mexican-Americans, Cuban-Americans, and Puerto Ricans. The course also delves into key issues relating to identity within the Latina/o/x population and how this impacts their political incorporation. We discuss issues relating to partisanship, public opinion, mobilization and outreach to the group, as well as social movements. The course closes with a discussion of the complexities of the Latina/o/x umbrella and the heterogeneity of the group.

This course provides an overview of social identities and how they influence politics. First, we discuss what is a group and the theoretical underpinnings of social identity. We discuss how social identities work, whether they are socially constructed, if identity is optional, and how social identities intersect with one another. We cover identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, class, religion, and national identity, and how these shape political behavior. While much of this course focuses on the American context, we also discuss how these themes apply to comparative politics.

This course begins with an in-depth look at definitions of citizenship. We discuss the racial underpinnings of how citizenship has been constructed in the United States, including the implications of who has been included and excluded from definitions of citizenship. Then, we turn to theories on why people migrate to discuss the push and pull factors behind migration more broadly, as well as how different migration streams to the United States began. After setting these important foundations, we discuss the construction of borders and illegality, as well how these definitions evolved in the development of the immigration policy that followed. In addition, we discuss the role of local and state-level actors in immigration policy. We conclude with a discussion of attitudes toward immigrants, immigrant integration, and American identity.