Winning the World: The Science of Shaping Opinions on Global Issues

Catalog description

In countries around the world, individuals play a key role in deciding which officials and parties get elected, whether conflict occurs or not, how marginalized groups are treated, which policies become law, whether the environment is protected, whether socioeconomic inequalities are addressed, and even whether movements and extremist groups achieve political power. A deeper understanding of global affairs, therefore, requires understanding why citizens around the world think and behave as they do. In this course, we will approach these crucial topics from the perspective of group identities, attitudes and actions. The insights gleaned from this course can not only help clarify various issues in global affairs, but also point toward ways of effecting real change. Students will also gain additional skills in evaluating and critiquing scholarly research.