Graduate Courses
PSC 404: Probability and Inference
This course in mathematical statistics provides graduate students in political science with a solid foundation in probability and statistical inference. The focus of the course is on the empirical modeling of non-experimental data. While substantive political science will never be far from our minds, our primary goal is to acquire the tools necessary for success in the rest of the econometric sequence. As such, this course serves as a prerequisite for the advanced political science graduate courses in statistical methods (PSC 405, 505, and 506).
This course in mathematical statistics provides graduate students in political science with a solid foundation in probability and statistical inference. The focus of the course is on the empirical modeling of non-experimental data. While substantive political science will never be far from our minds, our primary goal is to acquire the tools necessary for success in the rest of the econometric sequence. As such, this course serves as a prerequisite for the advanced political science graduate courses in statistical methods (PSC 405, 505, and 506).
PSC 405: Linear Models
PSC 505: Maximum Likelihood
PSC 506: Advanced Topics
Undergraduate Courses
PSC 200: Applied Data Analysis
Data analysis has become a key part of many fields including politics, business, law, and public policy. This course covers the fundamentals of data analysis, giving students the necessary statistical skills to understand and critically analyze contemporary political, legal, and policy puzzles. Lectures focus on the theory and practice of quantitative analysis, and weekly lab sessions guide students through the particulars of statistical software. No prior knowledge of statistics or data analysis is required. Without special permission of the instructor, students may not enroll in this course if they have earned credit and a letter grade for ECO 230, PSC 205, PSY/CSP 211, STT 211, STT 212, STT 213, STT 214, or any other course in statistics, or if they have received a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement exam in Statistics.
Data analysis has become a key part of many fields including politics, business, law, and public policy. This course covers the fundamentals of data analysis, giving students the necessary statistical skills to understand and critically analyze contemporary political, legal, and policy puzzles. Lectures focus on the theory and practice of quantitative analysis, and weekly lab sessions guide students through the particulars of statistical software. No prior knowledge of statistics or data analysis is required. Without special permission of the instructor, students may not enroll in this course if they have earned credit and a letter grade for ECO 230, PSC 205, PSY/CSP 211, STT 211, STT 212, STT 213, STT 214, or any other course in statistics, or if they have received a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement exam in Statistics.
PSC 214: Empirical Controversies in American Politics
This seminar considers a number of controversies in American politics that can be studied with data. Topics include liberal bias in the media, the effect of capital punishment on crime, and the relationship between money and elections, among others. The course will be a small seminar and will use a discussion format. Each student will be expected to read the assigned material before class and to take turns summarizing and critiquing particular readings. Grades will be based on presentations, class discussions, and a final research paper. PSC 200 or its equivalent is a prerequisite.
This seminar considers a number of controversies in American politics that can be studied with data. Topics include liberal bias in the media, the effect of capital punishment on crime, and the relationship between money and elections, among others. The course will be a small seminar and will use a discussion format. Each student will be expected to read the assigned material before class and to take turns summarizing and critiquing particular readings. Grades will be based on presentations, class discussions, and a final research paper. PSC 200 or its equivalent is a prerequisite.
PSC 248: Discrimination
An examination of discrimination from a social scientific perspective. Topics covered include defining discrimination, types of discrimination under the law, testing for discrimination, discrimination experiments, and a survey of what social scientists have discovered about discrimination in the areas of policing, bail, retail sales, automobile sales, and home mortgages. Although there is considerable time devoted to lecture, students are encouraged to participate.
Syllabus
An examination of discrimination from a social scientific perspective. Topics covered include defining discrimination, types of discrimination under the law, testing for discrimination, discrimination experiments, and a survey of what social scientists have discovered about discrimination in the areas of policing, bail, retail sales, automobile sales, and home mortgages. Although there is considerable time devoted to lecture, students are encouraged to participate.
Syllabus