This course is part of the Master's programme in Public Choice and is compulsory for the degree students in the programme.

There are some places available for other students at the University of Tampere.

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In North American Studies belongs to NAM-VII Methodology.

This course introduces students to the testing of causal hypotheses with statistical methods, focusing on social-science applications.  Causal inference in this setting requires melding the language of mathematical statistics with the reality of human decision-making.  Successfully testing a social-science hypothesis thus requires both facility with the mathematics, as well an understanding of how people actually behave.  This course gives students an introduction to the math, and experience in translating the math to reality.

The course is timed according to the scripted schedule of the masters’ program in Public Choice, and is tailored to the needs of that program.  As a result, non-PCP students should be aware that the course will proceed at a substantially faster pace than other courses.

The first week is the program’s Math Camp, consisting of 10 lecture hours (no quarters) and nightly group homework assignments.  The following three weeks form the Statistics component, consisting of 24 lecture hours (no quarters), twice-a-week group homework assignments, and a final exam.  The final mark comes from the Statistics component alone: 50% weight on homework, and 50% on the exam.

Course in North American Studies: NAM-VII Methodology

Voting is the cornerstone of American political life. As such, the act of voting has attracted

considerable attention from scholars and policymakers. This course addresses the field of voting

behavior in the United States in roughly four parts. First, we'll discuss general questions in the field and

introduce the major sociological, psychological, and rational choice interpretations of voting. Second,

we'll look at common heuristics used to simplify the vote decision and ways in which campaigns

mobilize voters. In the latter part of the semester we will turn our attention toward voting in

congressional and presidential contexts. The last portion of the course addresses special electoral

conditions: local elections, direct democracy, and the effects of certain electoral reforms.

Course Schedule:

September 2: Introduction

September 9: Representation and Turnout in the United States

September 16: The United States in Comparative Perspective

September 23: Two Voting Models

September 30: Party Affiliation ASSIGNMENT #1 DUE

October 7: No class this week

October 14: Issue Voting and Public Opinion

October 21: Candidate Evaluation

October 28: Political Advertising

November 4: Congressional Elections and Decision Making ASSIGNMENT #2 DUE

November 18: Voter Mobilization and the 2016 Elections

November 25: Predictive Models

December 2: Presidential Elections

December 9: Other Electoral Contexts: Direct Democracy and Local Elections

December 15: Final papers are due

The course can also be taken within the Degree Programme in Politics, when it will compensate one of the following Political Science study

units: POLVOA31 Political Institutions and Processes (https://www10.uta.fi/opas/opintojakso.htm?rid=9457&idx=0&uiLang=en&lang=en&lvv=2015),

or POLVOA41 Parties, Elections and Political Participation (https://www10.uta.fi/opas/opintojakso.htm?rid=9452&idx=0&uiLang=en&lang=en&lvv=2015).

Course in North American Studies: NAM-VII Methodology

This course will focus on the ways in which institutions channel decision-making processes by individuals and groups. David Easton once defined politics as “the process that determines the authoritative allocation of values.” Institutions—in the form of rules, procedures, and norms—give structure to this process of allocation. We'll explore the main theories used to explain the emergence and evolution of political institutions, and how they are used to resolve problems of collective action and resource allocation. With this foundation in place, the latter part of the course will examine the purpose and performance of a particular institution: redistricting commissions. We'll consider the context in which these commissions operate and how these commissions compare to alternative redistricting authorities. The final portion of the class will involve a simulation in which groups of students will construct a district map and advocate for its adoption.

Course Schedule:
January 10: Introduction

January 17: Problems of Collective Action and Common Resource

January 24: “New” and Historical Institutionalism

January 31: Rational Choice and Empirical Institutionalism

February 7: No class this week

February 14: The Institutional Presidency

February 21: Congress, Polarization, and the Filibuster

February 28: Courts in the Republic

March 7: No class this week
March 14: Federalism and Direct Democracy in the States (MIDTERM HANDED OUT)

March 21: Redistricting Criteria and Institutions (MIDTERM RESPONSES DUE)

March 28: Representation and Minority-Majority Districts

April 4: Effects of Redistricting on Voter Behavior and Incumbency

April 11: Arizona Case

April 18: No lecture
April 25: Presentations of District Plans