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Political Science and International Relations
Elections, Polls and Electoral Campaigns

Elections, Polls and Electoral Campaigns

Code	17801
Year	3
Semester	S1
ECTS Credits	6
Workload	OT(15H)/TP(45H)
Scientific area	Ciência Política
Entry requirements	No prerequisites
Learning outcomes	Key objectives: (1) contribute to understanding electoral processes and the types of elections held in democratic and non-democratic contexts; (2) identify the basic characteristics of electoral processes; (3) understand the impact of elections on the functioning of the political system; (4) construct and analyse surveys and polls; (5) analyse the impact and importance of election campaigns. The aim is to stimulate students' critical thinking and contextualise the study of the course unit within the current socio-political framework. The syllabus has been defined according to the objectives and will provide an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of electoral processes, the dynamics of surveys, polls and election campaigns. Objectives 1 to 3 will be achieved through the theoretical and practical discussion topics in module 1. Objective 4 will be achieved through the topics in module 2. Objective 5 will be addressed in module 3.
Syllabus	- Presentation of the UC - Practical group work Module 1: Elections 1.1. Voting in democratic and non-democratic contexts 1.2. Discussion on key elements of electoral processes 1.3. Electoral behaviour in Portugal and international databases on elections Module 2: Surveys and Polls 2.1. Key elements of polls and surveys 2.2. Conducting a poll/survey 2.3. Polls and surveys in Portugal Module 3: Election Campaigns 3.1. Election campaigns (and negative campaigns) 3.2. Election campaigns and technology
Main Bibliography	Asher, H. B. (2017). Bowler, S., & Farrell, D. M. (1992). Cancela, J. (2022). Cancela, J., & Magalhães, P. C. (2025). Chu, J. A., Williamson, S., & Yeung, E. S. F. (2024). Espírito Santo, P. (2008). Gallagher, M., & Mitchell, P. (2018). Gandhi, J., & Lust-Okar, E. (2009). Jiménez, F., & Cainzos, M. (2006). Jungherr, A. (2016). Krosnick, J. A. (1999). Lago, I. (2022). Lajas, R. A., & Pereira, J. S. (2018). Lau, R. R., & Rovner, I. B. (2009). Magalhães, P. C. (2005). Magalhães, P. C. (2011). Magalhães, P. C., Aguiar-Conraria, L., & Pereira, M. M. (2011). McAllister, I. (2018). McLean, I. (2022). Nina, S. R. (2017). Pinto, A. C., C Magalhães, P., & de Sousa, L. (2012). Reynolds, A., Reilly, B., & Ellis, A. (2005). Santana-Pereira, J. (2022). Weisberg. (2005). Weisbers, H. F., Krosnick, J. A., & Bowen, B. D. (1996). Wert, J. I. (2003).
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria	Assessment will be carried out on a discrete basis, consisting of four components and always presented on a scale of 0 to 20 points: 1. Completion of eight ‘quick tests’ (20%) in the five-item/question model where there are only two possible answers: true (T) or false (F). 2. A practical group assignment (2-3 members per group) (20%), consisting of the presentation and writing of a scientific article of up to five pages. 3. Three written ‘module tests’ without consultation (45%). 4. Participation (15%).
Language	Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.