POLS-201 Data Analysis and Politics
Data analysis is transforming the way we understand and engage in politics, how we design and evaluate policy, and how organizations across the world make decisions. In this course, you will learn the fundamental principles of quantitative reasoning and develop the programming skills needed to answer a wide range of political science questions using real-world data. Who supported Brexit? How can we predict GDP growth using night-time light emissions measured from space? What was the effect of Russian TV propaganda on Ukrainians' 2014 voting behavior? Is there racial discrimination in the labor market? These are just a few of the questions we will explore.The course assumes no prior knowledge of statistics or coding, and requires only minimal knowledge of math. It is centered around bite-sized assignments designed to help students build knowledge and skills from the ground up. Students will leave prepared to enter work in settings that require a social scientific approach to data analysis.
Prerequisite
Student has satisfied all of the following Student has completed or is in process of completing 24 Credits And Student has satisfied all of the following Student has completed any of the following course(s) GVT 120 - Research Methods, POLS 121 - Research Methods for IR And Student has satisfied all of the following Student has completed any of the following course(s) MATH 128 - Math for the Modern World, MATH 130 - Topics in Finite Mathematics, MATH 134 - Calculus for Management and Social Sciences, MATH 146 - Calculus for Life Sciences, MATH 164 - Calculus 1 Bridge With Trigonometry, MATH 165 - Calculus I
Offered
Fall, Spring