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The Science of Political Polarization: How the U.S. became so divided (and what we can do about it)
In this pod, students interested in politics and current events will deepen their understanding of how and why we’re so divided along party lines. To solidify their learning, students will write a mini research paper and create a short presentation.
Group size
2-6 students
Outcome
The final outcome is a mini research paper and short presentation.
Tuition
$495
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The Science of Political Polarization: How the U.S. became so divided (and what we can do about it)
In the United States, we’re currently experiencing a level of political polarization unseen since the Civil War. But why are we so polarized today? Does political polarization really matter (beyond making us uncomfortable when we talk about politics)? And is there anything we can do about it? In this pod, students interested in politics and current events will deepen their understanding of how and why we’re so divided along party lines. To solidify their learning, students will write a mini research paper and create a short presentation. In doing so, students will gain critical thinking and writing skills and will feel more prepared to engage in discussions about American politics. Students will gain an understanding of how scholars of political science conduct research.
Week by week curriculum
Week 1
What is polarization? In our opening session, we’ll unpack what “polarization” really means, exploring both ideological and affective polarization. We’ll also examine how both political elites and the general public have become more polarized over time and think critically about how researchers define and measure polarization.
Week 2
Why does political polarization matter? This session explores the real-world consequences of polarization, both inside and outside the political arena. From gridlock in Congress to strained personal relationships, we’ll look at how deepening divides affect democratic institutions and everyday life.
Week 3
Why are we so polarized? In this session, we’ll dive into the root causes of polarization. We’ll examine factors ranging from identity formation to our changing media environment to begin to understand why divisions have deepened in recent decades.
Week 4
In this session, we’ll continue our discussion of how the U.S. became so polarized. Building on the previous session, we’ll explore institutional and structural contributors to political polarization. Topics will include campaign finance and the role of political elites in fueling division.
Week 5
Can anything be done to bridge the divide? During this session, we’ll begin to look for potential solutions to political polarization. We’ll start by considering interventions at the individual and community levels, including cross-partisan dialogue.
Week 6
What else might help us mitigate political polarization? In our final session, we continue our search for solutions to polarization, exploring institutional reforms like ranked-choice voting.