Appropriate for First Year students.

TimeDaysLocationInstructorGERCreditOPUS Class NumberSyllabus (Tentative)
3:00pm-4:15pm
MWF
Math & Science Center - E208
Drew Linzer. 42189 TBA.

January 13, 2010- April 26, 2010

Catalog Description: Fundamental concepts and quantitative techniques of empirical political inquiry. Introduction to concepts of measurement, parametric, and nonparametric statistics. Basic bivariate and univariate statistics used in political science. [Beginning Fall 2010, this course will carry the number POLS 208.]

Semester Details:

This course introduces students to the style of analytical thinking involved in the conduct of political science research. It covers experimental and observational research designs, case selection and simple sampling techniques, and measurement of theoretical concepts. It also covers basic statistical procedures for describing and analyzing quantitative data. The course applies these techniques to analyze numerous political examples. Students will learn some basic statistical computing skills, which the instructor will demonstrate in class and which students will use for some homework and a paper assignment.

(The instructor will hold an optional Friday lab session, at the regular course time, at various points during the semester; students are advised to keep this part of their schedule free to allow them to attend such sessions if needed.)

Required Textbooks, Articles, and Resources

  1. Paul M. Kellstedt & Guy D. Whitten. 2008. The Fundamentals of Political Science Research.
    ISBN: 9780521697880.
    Cambridge University Press
  2. Verzani, John. 2004. Using R for Introductory Statistics.
    ISBN: 9781584884507.
    Chapman & Hall/CRC

The schedule of courses on O.P.U.S. is the official listing of courses, including days and times they meet and the General Education Requirements they satisfy. Students should use course descriptions as general guidelines. Course requirements, grading details, book lists, and syllabi are subject to change.