Digital Politics and Public Opinion Research
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
This course investigates the intersections of digital politics and public opinion from sociological and methodological perspectives. It provides a comprehensive overview of the historical contexts, evolving theories, and contemporary trends that incessantly redefine our understanding of public opinion. A special focus is placed on the implications of social media, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence for political engagement and communication. The course integrates theoretical frameworks with empirical methodologies, utilizing both established survey techniques for cross-national public opinion analysis and innovative tools for digital data analysis. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of how digital transformations affect public discourse and political processes. The course concludes with final sessions where students will present their research projects using either survey data or digital methods.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive sociological understanding of the theoretical mechanisms driving public opinion processes. Additionally, they will master the essential logic and practice of empirical public opinion research through the intensive use of both international survey-based datasets and digital data.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
· Introduction and theoretical perspectives on public opinion
· Transformations of (digital) public spheres
· Social media platforms and AI systems as infrastructures of power
· Media, social media, and politics
· Political ideologies, identities, and values
· Online survey experiments on social identities
· Digital methods for the study of social media opinion
· Transformations of (digital) public spheres
· Social media platforms and AI systems as infrastructures of power
· Media, social media, and politics
· Political ideologies, identities, and values
· Online survey experiments on social identities
· Digital methods for the study of social media opinion
Prerequisites for admission
Students are expected to have a basic preliminary knowledge of (1) the logic of social research (e.g. the difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods) and (2) contemporary history of politics (i.e. the main international political actors and regimes since the 20th century).
Teaching methods
The instructor will use a) lectures; b) group work and exercises (using software for survey data analysis and tools for digital data analysis): c) discussion of the case studies carried out and presented by students in the class.
Teaching Resources
Norris, P., Inglehart , R. (2019). Cultural Backlash: Trump, Brexit, and Authoritarian Populism. Cambridge University Press (Selected chapters).
Klinger, U., Kreiss, D., & Mutsvairo, B. (2023). Platforms, power, and politics: An introduction to political communication in the digital age. John Wiley & Sons (Selectoed chapters).
Barisione, M. (2021). Polar Stars. Why the Political Ideologies of Modernity still Matter. Milano University Press (Selectoed chapters).
Barisione, M. (2025). Sociologia della politica. Mondadori Università (translated excerpts).
Klinger, U., Kreiss, D., & Mutsvairo, B. (2023). Platforms, power, and politics: An introduction to political communication in the digital age. John Wiley & Sons (Selectoed chapters).
Barisione, M. (2021). Polar Stars. Why the Political Ideologies of Modernity still Matter. Milano University Press (Selectoed chapters).
Barisione, M. (2025). Sociologia della politica. Mondadori Università (translated excerpts).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is written. It requires extensive answers (half to one-page each) to 3 open-ended questions relating to the indicated readings. The time available will be 60 minutes.
Attending students will also be encouraged to present a (PowerPoint) research paper based either on an international survey dataset or on digital data retrieved from social media platforms. These presentations will result in extra points to be added to the final grade.
Attending students will also be encouraged to present a (PowerPoint) research paper based either on an international survey dataset or on digital data retrieved from social media platforms. These presentations will result in extra points to be added to the final grade.
Professor(s)