Digital politics and public opinion research

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.

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.