Public Opinion and Political Behaviour

When angry at a particular government policy, some people sit in their armchair and complain, others write letters and organise committees, some participate in social media campaigns, while others still protest or even riot in the street. Politicians care about public opinion, so how do we explain these choices? How are reactions shaped by people's social background, their economic circumstances, their personality, or even their genetic inheritance? Can politicians and the media influence public opinion and if so, how?

You are introduced to the latest theoretical debates about the nature, significance and measurement of public opinion, exploring when and how these opinions translate into political participation, from voting behaviour and signing petitions to suicide bombing.

Your future

All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world's leading politics departments.

Public Opinion and Political Behaviour course offered by the University of Essex can lead to a career in the polling industry, market research, British and European Politics or the private sector. You will develop key employability skills including analytical reasoning, survey design, polling, research design, and report writing.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organisations:

• The Civil Service

• Local government

• The World Bank

• The United Nations

• NATO

• YouGov and YouGov America

Courses included:

• Gender and Armed Conflict

• Israeli Politics

• From Cradle to Grave: Social Justice in Childhood, Adulthood, and Death

• Comparative Environmental Politics

• International Environmental Politics

• Quantitative Methods

• Conflict Resolution