2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED3101 Elections and Voters

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Prof Jocelyn Evans
Email: ipije@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

In this module, we explore the different theories used in psephology (the study of voting behaviour) and their application in modelling individual voter choice. We begin by looking at the original Columbia and Michigan models of voting developed in the United States in the post-war period, using social profile and party identification as the baseline for vote. We move on to look at the rational choice school, the insights this provides into individual decision-making in vote choice, and its extensions into spatial and economic models of voting. Taking into account contextual influences on voting – for example, electoral systems and party systems, which determine who an individual can vote for, and campaign and candidate effects, which may alter their existing predispositions – and the psychology of attitudes in vote motivation, we finally look at constructing the so-called ‘full model’ of voting, applicable to any competitive electoral race. Introductions to the main theories and models are provided through the weekly lecture. We begin to apply individual theories to a range of country cases in the seminars, looking at their value in understanding voters’ choices, and to assess how they can be employed selectively not only to explain vote, but also to forecast election outcomes. By the end of the module, you will be able to build simple but powerful explanatory models of voting, and understand how to apply these using a range of electoral and socio-economic data.

Objectives

This module introduces students to the main theories and models used in psephology (the study of voting). It considers the competing explanations of how voters make their choice in elections, looking at the individual and contextual influences which may have a bearing on their party support. In particular, it focuses on how voters process information and prioritise ideological and pragmatic considerations in their decision whether and how to vote.

The module specifically expects students to engage with the modelling of voting behaviour (i.e. the application of theory), and will demonstrate how rigorous empirical analysis of voting is necessary to understanding voters’ motivations, and thereby election outcomes.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- understand and critically discuss the principal theories of voting behaviour;
- understand the mechanical effects of electoral laws, and voters’ interaction with these;
- apply electoral theories to a range of country-cases and comparatively;
- operationalise simple empirical tests to voting data to demonstrate causal relationships in voting;
- explain the findings of more sophisticated statistical models of voting found in the secondary literature;
- construct a range of testable hypotheses as part of the ‘full model’ of voting.

Syllabus

The syllabus will cover topics such as:

- Why do we study voting behaviour?
- The historical development of voting studies.
- Electoral systems: how institutions process choice, and how voters process institutions
- Cleavage structures and socio-structural explanations of voting.
- Rational choice theories: do voters choose?
- Abstention: causes and explanations.
- Spatial and issue models
- Electoral supply and demand: party system dynamics and areas of electoral competition
- Economic voting and the VP-function
- Forecasting elections.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

In alternate weeks, students will be expected to carry out background reading for country-cases and prepare simple voting models for discussion before seminars. Additional readings of topical applications of voting theory will also be posted on the VLE when appropriate.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be expected to produce a 1000 word practical assignment in week 7, to assess their command of the basic voting theories and their application in a simple model. The essay will provide evidence of their progress in understanding these theories, and their application to country-studies or comparatively. The final exam will monitor the command of and critical reflection on the implication of theories, and how empirical examples can be applied in support of these arguments.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,000 word essay	35.00
Report	1 x 1,000 word poject report, mid-semester	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 22/07/2015

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