You will be required, each week, to show evidence of reading the news - in print and online. But I know very little about statistical research, in this neck of the digital woods. Let us also note that almost any textbook published on this subject is out of date by the time the ink is dry. Martin's Press, 1999. Coursewise Publishing, 1998.
Ideas come before research and ideas begin with reading.
If you need help subscribing to a newspaper, please let me know. When in doubt, dive in. Come up with new ideas. Students will quickly realize that I will strive to raise questions about what it means to be a Christian who works in mainstream journalism. I urge students to take part and raise questions of their own.