Graduate Studies Reports Access
Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - POS6746
Tracking Number - 2248
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Current Status:
Approved by SCNS - 2014-10-01
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only): No changes need to be made. The course is a prerequisite to Advanced Quantitative Analysis, and part of the methods sequence for both the MA and PhD programs. It will be one of the additional courses for the proposed changes to our MA program which will increase methods requirements from 6 to 9 credit hours. It therefore a new core course.
Comments: to GC 2/5/13 - for Govt Ph.D.; text confirmed. Reqd- cat copy rcvd. to GCr 4/22/13; obj need rev. Back to faculty5/9/13. Updated 7/17/13 - to chair; GC apprd 8/5/13. to USF Sys. To SCNS 8/23/13. (Note - removed Pre-req/Sel Topics). Appd eff 10/1/14
Detail Information
- Date & Time Submitted: 2009-12-02
- Department: Government and International Affairs
- College: AS
- Budget Account Number: 1231-000-00
- Contact Person: Dr. Mark Amen
- Phone: 8139746912
- Email: amen@usf.edu
- Prefix: POS
- Number: 6746
- Full Title: Quantitative Analysis I
- Credit Hours: 3
- Section Type: C -
Class Lecture (Primarily)
- Is the course title variable?: N
- Is a permit required for registration?: N
- Are the credit hours variable?: N
- Is this course repeatable?: N
- If repeatable, how many times?: 0
- Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Quantitative Analysis I
- Course Online?: C -
Face-to-face (0% online)
- Percentage Online: 0
- Grading Option:
-
- Prerequisites:
- Corequisites: None.
- Course Description: Provide graduate students in political science, international relations, and public policy the necessary tools for analyzing and conducting quantitative research in the discipline.
- Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Replacing Selected Topics with Permanent number; already listed in program
- What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? It is a required Research Methods Course for both MA and Ph.D. students. Since it is a required course the demand for it will be high.Students in other social science programs could benefit from it if they want to have a better understanding of social science research with a focus on political issues.
- Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
- What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) Must have a Ph.D. with a concentration in Research Methods. Three faculty can teach this course.
- Objectives: 1) Students should be familiar with the concepts of probability and random sampling.
2) Students should understand the computation and interpretation of descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion.
3) Students should understand the properties of the normal curve normal and the central limit theorem.
4) Students should understand the computation and interpretation of univariate inferential statistics, such as confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.
5) Students should understand the computation and interpretation of bivariate and multivariate statistics, such as ANOVA, chi-square, Pearson’s r, and regression.
6) Students should be able to apply these techniques to problems in political science and international studies.
- Learning Outcomes: By the conclusion of the course student shoud be able to read and understand articles/books that utilize basic quantitative methodology; be able to critique the basic statistical methods used in a published article or book; be able to use basic social science quantitative methodology in their own research, or theses.
Methods of assessment will be SPSS Workbook assignments; research paper assignments; quizzes; and class reports.
- Major Topics: Review of Research Design Concepts
Conducting High Quality Quantitative Research using SPSS
Descriptive Statistics
Inferential Statistics
OLS regressions, etc. etc.
- Textbooks: Phillip Pollack, The Essentials of Political Analysis, CQ Press 4th edition
Phillip Pollack, An SPSS companion to Political Analysis, CG Press 4th edition (with SPSS CD)
Course Packet – to be purchased at Pro-copy
- Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: Sally Caldwell, Statistics Unplugged, 3rd edition (2010).
Darrell Huff, How to Lie with Statistics (1993).etc. etc.
- Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: •SPSS Workbook Problem Set Assignments (20%) provide opportunities for you to solve statistical problems you learn in class. Late assignments will be awarded half
credit.
Research paper (20%) a series of individual assignments that facilitate the completion of the research paper.
Final research paper (35%)
Quizzes (15%)
Attendance and class participation(10%)
• Research Paper Assignments (20%) are a series of individual assignments that facilitate the completion of your research paper. Your syllabus contains specific instructions for each assignment. Late assignments will be awarded half credit.
• Final Research Paper (35%) provides an opportunity for you to engage in original analysis of an important topic in politic science, international relations, or public policy. Specific guidelines concerning the organization and content of your paper are available on Blackboard.
- Assignments, Exams and Tests: •Quizzes (15%) evaluate your comprehension of course material. Each of the three quizzes will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions.
Final grades will reflect the plus/minus grading system. Failure to complete any assignment (midterm, final, simulation) will result in a grade of zero on that assignment. Late assignments will be penalized ten points for each 24 hour period (or portion thereof) that they are late. No assignments will be accepted via email.
- Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practical, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)
Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.
- Policy on Make-up Work: Late assignments will be penalized ten points for each 24 hour period (or portion thereof) that they are late. No assignments will be accepted via email.
- Program This Course Supports: MA in Political Science & Ph.D. in Government
- Course Concurrence Information: Many graduate program in Social Sciences (for example Sociology Graduate Students) who want to deepen their knowledge of social science statistical research. The focus of the course will be political issues, events, data, etc.
- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.