The emphasis in this section will be on achieving an intuitive understanding of the central concepts and basic competence in using computers for data analysis rather than on the memorization of formulas. The main goal of the course is for you to become critical consumers of empirical social science research as well as competent producers of your own research. I strongly encourage you to follow current events and to read the newspaper several times per week. I will often rely on current political issues and events for illustration, and I welcome your examples and observations in this regard. Students who pass the statistics-based problem sets and the class as a whole will receive credit for the college s quantitative proficiency requirement.
Coursework includes problem sets and a final team project.
W. Phillips Shively. The Craft of Political Research . Janet Johnson and Richard A. Joslyn. Political Science Research Methods . Alan Agresti and Barbara Finlay.