THE POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY OF POLARIZATION

POLISCI 425

Course Description

The content encourages critical thinking about societies and the larger global community through readings and assessments that explore questions about individual and community behaviors, group dynamics, and the rise of populist authoritarian appeals and policies in the United States and globally. It emphasizes the importance of understanding several psychological theoretical approaches and diverse research methods in political science. Additionally, it involves synthesizing and applying social science concepts from psychology, economics, political science, and sociology, requiring a multifaceted perspective on the issues examined.

Prerequisties

Sophomore standing

Satisfies

This course does not satisfy any prerequisites.

Credits

Offered

Not Applicable

Grade Point Average

3.46

-7.42% from Historical

Completion Rate

91.67%

-6.79% from Historical

A Rate

58.33%

-10.65% from Historical

Class Size

-30.58% from Historical

Instructors (2025 Fall)

Sorted by ratings from Rate My Professors

Similar Courses

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY

POLISCI 206

Examines the psychological aspects of the political behavior of individuals--whether elites, activists or members of general publics--and their consequent political behaviors in various groups and institutional contexts. Not open to students with credit for POLI SCI 267 prior to fall 2017

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT

POLISCI 361

This course considers central themes and controversies in American political thinking during the 20th and early 21st centuries. Topics include the development of liberalism from the Progressive Era to the New Deal to the Great Society and beyond; the emergence of new strands of conservatism after World War II and the tensions between those strands; challenges by excluded and marginalized groups to the traditional social and political order; and the revival of concerns about "community" in America. As a topic of study, "American Political Thought" combines philosophy, political theory, history, and practical politics. The course covers a wide variety of texts, ranging from philosophical treatises to newspaper articles, from presidential addresses to works of social science with ultimate goal to become more knowledgeable and more critical students of the American political experience. Not open to students with credit for POLI SCI 566 prior to fall 2017

ELECTIONS AND VOTING BEHAVIOR

POLISCI 305

Psychological and social components of voting behavior, current electoral trends, role of voters in the governing process. Not open to students with credit for POLI SCI 467 prior to fall 2017

PUBLIC OPINION

POLISCI 515

Formation of opinions within and among the political publics; their role in the development and practice of governmental policy. Not open to students with credit for POLI SCI 473 prior to fall 2017

PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

POLISCI 950

Designed around substantive topic areas, including reputation, personality, and emotions. Covers the broad patterns of scholarship in political psychology over the last 50 years. The larger methodological issues around political psychology and International Relations (IR) (how do you study this? what tradeoffs do the various approaches entail?) will form a backdrop to most of our discussions.