Public Opinion and the Environment
NRE 566
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor.

This research seminar will examine trends in public opinion on the environment, influences on peoples concerns about the environment, and how such concerns affect personal behaviors and the political process. Specifically, the objectives will be to: 1. Examine the extent of concern for the environment in society. 2. Understand what influences peoples concerns about the environment. 3. Determine whether concern varies for different subgroups in society. 4. Assess the impact peoples concerns have on the actions they take (political actions and personal behaviors). 5. Assess the impact public opinion on the environment has on the political process. 6. Examine the environmental attitudes of policy makers. 7. Predict where public opinion on the environment is likely to head in the future.