Introduction to Political Inquiry - Syllabus | POLS 298, Assignments of Political Science

Download Introduction to Political Inquiry - Syllabus | POLS 298 and more Assignments Political Science in PDF only on Docsity! INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL INQUIRY FALL 2008 SYLLABUS Course: POLS 298 Class Time: 1:40-2:30 MWF Classroom: ILC 301, PAAW 125 Instructor: Dr. Ross E. Burkhart Office: PAAW 127A, 426-3280, [email protected] Office Hours: 3:00-4:30 T-Th, 9:00-10:30 F, or by appt. OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to introduce students to the use of empirical data in political science research. Students will learn to create hypotheses regarding political science relationships. Students will also learn to use several basic statistical techniques in order to test these hypotheses: measures of central tendency and dispersion, cross-tabulations, difference of means tests, analysis of variance, linear correlation and simple regression. Students will utilize SPSS for Windows. ASSESSMENT: Students will complete: • five quizzes based on classroom material and readings. Each quiz is worth 10 points. Students will count the four highest quiz grades. Total points from quizzes = 40 points. • three examinations based on classroom material and readings. Each exam is worth 100 points. Total points from examinations = 300 points. • weekly homework assignments based on the readings, due on days indicated on the syllabus. Each assignment is worth five points. Total points from homework assignments = 60 points. • one library assignment, due November 21 st, in which students will choose an article from a peer-reviewed journal and discuss the research question addressed in the article as well as the analysis performed. Library assignment = 20 points. • SPSS-related assignments in the PAAW 125 computer lab every other Friday except where indicated, based on group assignment, beginning September 5th• Total points from labwork = 20 points. Grading scale: A = 94% and t A- = 90-93% B- = 80-83% C+ = 77-79% D+ = 67-69% D = 64-66% B+ = 87-89% C = 74-76% D-= 60-63% B = 84-86% C- = 70-73% F= below 60% REQUIRED TEXTS: Pollock, Philip H., III. 2005. The Essentials of Political Analysis. 2nd edition. Washington DC: CQ Press. (AKA "Pollock 1") Pollock, Philip H., III. 2005. An SPSS Companion to Political Analysis. 2nd edition. Washington DC: CQ Press. (AKA "Pollock 2") August 25-September 3: Introduction: Political Science Research Questions. • Reading: Pollock 1, Introduction and chap. I, pp. 7-20. • Homework (due September 3): Pollock 1, chap. 1, p. 26, exercise 2 September 5-September 10: Central Tendency and Variation. • Reading: Pollock 1, chap. 1, pp. 20-25 • Homework (due September 10): Pollock 1, chap. 1, pp. 25-26, exercise 1 • Lab Work (September 5-Group 1): Pollock 2, chap. 1 (no exercises-learning to use SPSS) September 12-17: Normal Distribution. Validity/Reliability. (First Quiz September 17th) • Reading: Pollock 1, chap. 1 • Homework (due September 17): Pollock 1, chap. 1, p. 26-27, exercises 4 & 6 • Lab Work (September 12-Group 2): Pollock 2, chap. 1 (no exercises-learning to use SPSS)