Elections in American politics are dynamic events in which many different groups struggle to gain control of political institutions at the local, state, and federal levels. During the campaigns, candidates and their supporters move across the land, appear on television, radio, and through the printed press. Simultaneously, various organizations and interest groups attempt to gain influence with the candidates and with public opinion by raising money, making endorsements, running political appeals in the various media, and supplying activists to work for the candidates they favor. This course explores the factors that shape the outcome of political elections in America. Among the factors we will consider are: the state of the economy, international events, the role of political parties at the state and national levels, the current partisan balance, ideology, media, special interests, money, candidates, the "hot" issues of the moment and long enduring issues, campaign debates, media, and campaign polling and public opinion. Public opinion polling and its various uses in campaign politics will be a special focus of attention. Among the topics related to public opinion polling will be sampling, question wording, questionnaire design, and analysis of results. The class will conduct an election eve computer assisted telephone survey of the Massachusetts electorate during the last week of the fall campaign. The data from this poll will be used to interpret the 1996 elections. Requirements: a midterm, a final, and a research paper. No prerequisites. Open to first-year students with advanced placement credit in American Politics.
MARCUS