Office hours: Mondays/Wednesdays 1-2p
in 3606 James Hall @BC
+ by appointment on Zoom
ABOUT THE COURSE
| This course introduces you to when, why, and how social scientists and other data analysts use statistics and other quantitative methods. You’ll learn when a quantitative approach to answering questions is helpful and when it can be problematic. You’ll learn to identify good surveys from bad and when to side-eye a shocking average published in the media. You’ll be able to figure out when data represent what they say they do and when they don’t. You’ll better understand odds and statistical risk, and you’ll create well-designed graphs and other visuals from spreadsheets. You will analyze NYC public data sets, identify what you can conclude from them and what would be a stretch, write about the patterns you find, and creatively represent those patterns to a professional audience. After passing this course, you can add “proficiency in Excel, spreadsheets, basic statistics, and creating infographics” to your resume, and you’ll be prepared to take more advanced courses in quantitative methods and data analytics. |
YOU WILL LEARN TO:
o Be less freaked out about using spreadsheets, statistics, and
programming in social research.
o Identify when quantitative methods are appropriate to use.
o 
| This course site + Blackboard + Excel |
| A simple calculator |
ON THE WAY TO THESE OUTCOMES, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
GRADE BREAKDOWN
Here’s how you’ll be graded:
ADVICE FOR DOING WELL
Don’t miss any classes.  | Avoid falling behind. Come to office hours or make an appointment to check in with me – whether or not you have a specific reason.  |
Try to ask at least one question per class session.  |  |
Do the reading.  | Study with your classmates and take your group work seriously.  |
COURSE POLICIES
o Assignments are due at the beginning of class. I don’t accept late assignments or excuse any absences without a university-approved, documented excuse (i.e. a doctor’s note.)
o If you miss class, you miss the opportunity to turn in that day’s lab and any assignments that are due that day. You might want to check back at the way your grade is calculated, but this can end up being a pretty big deal.
o
 |
If you know you need to miss a class at some point this semester for a religious holiday, no problem! Just let me know ASAP.
o 
Please stay off of your phone and other devices unless you’re taking notes or doing internet research during a lab. If you’re a caretaker or emergency worker on call, that’s different – let me know if this is the case ASAP!
o Don’t be late.
o I’m assuming you’re generally a respectful, reasonable student, classmate, and overall human. But in the very off chance you’re not, we might need to check in about that.
o What email address do you have listed with BC? That’s where all my communication with you will go, so please check ASAP. All of my announcements and reminders will go to this email address – it is your responsibility to make sure it’s the correct one.
EXAMS + ASSIGNMENTS
 | Exercise 1: Operationalization | DUE WEDNESDAY 9/20 | IMPORTANT DATES |
 | Exercise 2: Research design | DUE WEDNESDAY 9/27 | |
 | Midterm exam | MONDAY 10/18 | |
| Quiz | WEDNESDAY 11/3 | |
 | Exercise 3: Bivariate analysis 1 | MONDAY 11/22 | |
 | Exercise 4: Bivariate analysis 2 | WEDNESDAY 12/1 | |
 | Individual data report + infographic | WEDNESDAY 12/8 | |
| Final exam | MONDAY 12/20 |
RESOURCES YOU SHOULD USE
University Policy on Academic Integrity
 |
The University Policy on Academic Integrity tells you clearly what constitutes cheating and plagiarism, and the consequences for students who cheat. FYI, if a faculty member confirms cheating or plagiarism, the faculty member is required to report the violation.
State Law on Non-Attendance Due to Religious
Beliefs
See this and more academic policies in the
Student Bereavement Policy
Students who experience the death of a loved one
can request accommodations. See more here.
Center for Student Disability Services
In order to receive disability-related academic
accommodations, students must first be
registered with the
Center for Student Disability Services (CSDS).
If you have already registered with the CSDS,
make sure you give me your course
accommodation form ASAP so we can discuss a
semester plan. If you have a documented
disability or suspect you may have one, set up an
appointment with the Director of the CSDS.
The Magner Center
65% of employers prefer that college students have at least 2 internships before they graduate. The Magner Center can help you find an internship, prep your resume, and practice interviewing. They can also help you find ways of getting paid for your internship. Stay in touch with them and check their calendar for events and stipend deadlines.
