Mar 28, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2022-23 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2022-23 [Archived Catalog]

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POLS 4062 - American Voting Behavior


Many studies of American elections are premised on the actions of individual voters (as well as potential voters and non-voters). Introduces the classics in the field of voting behavior research, along with recent studies that attempt to stand on the shoulders of these earlier works. Focuses on these two primary questions: a) why do people vote; b) how do they decide for whom to vote? One guiding concern is the issue as to whether voting behavior is self-interested or whether it reflects societal norms. Analyzes patterns of voting behavior in order to better assess American democracy and the manner in which it operates.

Requisites: POLS 1010 and 2000
Credit Hours: 3
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:
  • Students should be able to discuss the major strands of voting behavior theory.
  • Students should be able to distinguish between the social science evidence on democratic practice and the operation of that practice in terms of voting behavior.
  • Students should develop an understanding of the relationship between voting behavior theory and the political environments from which they were derived.
  • Students should gain a sense of institutional obstacles to voter participation and the opportunities for widening the electorate.



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