210261 UE d2: Quantitative Methods of Empirical Social Research (2008S)

The seminar "Quantitative Methods and Political Behaviour" provides political science students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in quantitative methods. The emphasis of this seminar is on the practical application of the various methodological concepts and quantitative statistical tools presented by Prof. Sylvia Kritzinger in her theoretical course Quantitative Methoden der empirischen Sozialforschung. Participation to her course is therefore a prerequisite to attend this seminar. Quantitative methods are here illustrated with examples from the classical field of political behaviour, focusing on mass political behavior. What this means, very generally, is that it will be based on literatures, controversies, and theories of the behavior of non-elite political actors. "Behavior" in this seminar is interpreted quite broadly and includes psychological attachments, affect, cognitions, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs, in addition to various forms of overt behavior such as voting. This seminar will build upon quantitative work from prominent scholars in the field focusing on these thematic issues, yet linking with the main issues covered in Prof. Kritzinger's course.