PSCI 5344:  This graduate course surveys Political Behavior, including political psychology, socialization, public choice, communications, public opinion, and political participation. Students will read both classic and very recent literature in this field.  Additionally, students will analyze primary empirical data, shedding light on many facets of political behavior.

Because the students enrolled in this course come from diverse educational and social backgrounds, it is necessary for all of us read the assigned text readings before each class period. Absent this common ground, exploiting the full measure of student ideas and input will be impossible. In this course, I both encourage and reward student participation.

Click here for required textbooks.
 
 

My personal goals are to provide you with a solid background in the state of the field of political behavior and to help foster your ability to be gather and critique information you come upon in the future.  I also want you to become comfortable with the research tools necessary to explore your own research interests.
 
 

Students will complete short weekly essays, a course paper, and a final exam.  The weekly papers will collectively count for 40 percent of your grade, the course paper will count for 30%, the final exam counts for 20%, and chat-room participation is factored-into the remaining 10% of your grade.  All assignments must be e-mailed to me by the due date.  A late assignment will be penalized one letter grade for each day it is late unless a student can provide written verification from a medical doctor of an illness or emergency.  In this class, it is particularly crucial to turn assignments in on time, since often your written work will be the basis of our on-line interactions. 

Per university policy, an incomplete ("I") is assigned only to a student who is otherwise passing the class and only in cases of unavoidable or unforeseen circumstances (e.g., major illness) preventing a student from completing the course requirements.  Verifiable documentary evidence, such as a Medical Doctor's note, is required.
 

Weekly Papers (worth 40% of your grade):
Students are expected to write weekly papers on the readings starting in week 2.  These papers are to be about two pages in length.  Each paper should focus in on one central point of the week's reading, rather than being a broad review.  It is usually helpful to do some additional reading in order to elaborate on the point which you wish to examine. 
Beginning in the Second Week each student will turn-in (to me) their paper on the weekly readings by 5pm on Monday, to facilitate our chat room discussion on that topic beginning each Wednesday.

Course Paper (worth 30% of your grade):
In addition to the weekly papers, students must also prepare a course paper.  This paper can be (1) a literature review, (2) a research design, or (3) a short piece of original data analysis.  It is permissible (and often advisable) to expand on one of your best weekly papers.  The Final Paper is due by 5pm on Friday of Week 12.  This paper will be read by me, and distributed to your fellow students so them may compose their Critiques.

Final Critique (worth 20% of your grade):
In lieu of a Final Exam, after turning-in their course (term) papers each student will write a critique of all other students' papers.  The students' course papers will be distributed anonymously to one's fellow students.  The Final Critique is due by 5pm on Friday of Week 14, and will be used to facilitate discussion in the chat room during Week 15.

Threaded Discussion (worth 10% of your grade):
Part of your grade will be based on your active participation in our asynchronous chat room.  Since this is a completely on-line course, your participation in our chat room discussion is critical because it will serve as our "virtual seminar room".   Each week I will try to stimulate the discussions with a some questions based on the readings and current issues.  Please discuss each chat room topic the week it is assigned, but feel free to incorporate previous work into to your comments.  Your grade will be based on how well you integrate the readings into your discussion with others; how well you respond to each other and have actual conversation with other class members; and the quality and amount of thoughtful discussions you initiate. Please take the chat room discussions seriously since we are relying on these discussions to keep the class lively and interactive.

Academic Honesty:
To maintain a fair and untainted learning environment for all students, there must be no cheating, plagiarism, or other dishonest conduct, as defined by Virginia Tech policy. Each of these terms is defined in the Virginia Tech Graduate Honor Code . The Graduate Honor Code establishes a standard of ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. Compliance with the Graduate Honor Code requires that all graduate students exercise honesty and ethical behavior in all their academic pursuits. The tenets of the Virginia Tech Graduate Honor Code will be strictly enforced in this course and all assignments shall be shall subject to the stipulations of the Graduate Honor Code. For more information on the Graduate Honor Code, please refer to the Graduate Policies and Procedures Catalog or the Graduate Honor System WWW Information Page at (www.vt.edu:10021/studentinfo/gradhonor/). Each assignment shall include a statement personally signed by the student stating that the work was performed by the undersigned student. Any violations of the honor code will be fully reported.

Click here for a weekly listing of assignments.