Fitzgerald's research focuses on comparative political behavior, with a specialization in advanced industrial democracies. She studies the factors that shape vote choices, partisan orientations and various political attitudes. Specific projects investigate support for radical right and green parties in Western Europe, attitudes toward immigrants in Europe, and political interest and party support among young people in Europe. More thematically, a shared feature of her various works is an emphasis on the impact of context. Specific contexts of interest include the household, local communities and broader political administrative units.
keywords
comparative political behavior, party support, european politics, household influence, political persuasion, race and ethnicity, foreign aid, immigration attitudes
PSCI 4002 - Western European Politics
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Summer 2020 / Summer 2021 / Summer 2022 / Summer 2023 / Fall 2024
Comparatively analyzes development of the political systems and processes of European democracies. Emphasizes contemporary institutions, decision making patterns, and policy issues. Special attention to challenges of welfare systems. Recommended prerequisite: PSCI 2012.
PSCI 4715 - Honors Political Science Seminar
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022
Involves writing and discussion of selected topics in political science. Critically reviews the major methodological and conceptual features of the discipline. Students begin their honors papers in the seminar. Department enforced prerequisite: minimum 3.3 GPA. Generally offered in fall term only.
PSCI 4725 - Political Science Honors Thesis
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Involves writing an honors thesis. Formerly PSCI 4008.
PSCI 7012 - Seminar: Comparative Political Systems
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021
Discusses current literature on comparative politics including theoretical and methodological issues. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours for different topics.
PSCI 7222 - Comparative Political Behavior
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Spring 2024
Provides an introduction to research on behavioral processes and outcomes using readings mainly from the sub-fields of American Politics and Comparative Politics. Geographic emphasis leans toward advanced democracies because this is how behavioral research has generally developed but will also explore works by developing country experts. The main goals are to help students become familiar with the existing literature and to help them explore several key debates in the field.
