Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - POL 390 D100

Data Visualization and Political Analysis (3)

Class Number: 3748

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of POL 201, ECON 233, STAT 203 or equivalent.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Social data and digital technologies are rapidly transforming politics and society, including election campaigns, how governments make policy, the targeting of consumers, and our interactions and connections with one another. This course offers a hands-on introduction to data science with an emphasis on data visualization for political and social analysis. Students with credit for ECON 334, ECON 387 under the title "Applied Data Analysis", or POL 339 under the title "Politics and Data Science" may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Description:

We are living in a technological and data revolution–one that has profound implications for society and politics. The data revolution is also ushering in a new era in the search for cures to diseases, while the rise of the Internet and integration of digital technologies into everyday life has generated unprecedented amounts of data on human behaviour, whether through digitized public records, detailed information on consumer habits and preferences, health monitoring, or social media.

The objective of this course is to introduce students to data science and its use in political research with a particular emphasis on data visualization. Students will learn how to analyze large data sets, create interactive maps for exploring geographic differences, and how to create a data focused website. It is helpful to have some experience with the programming language, R, but it is not required.

Course Organization:

The course meets on Mondays, 2:30-3:20, and Thursdays, 2:30-4:20. Students are expected to have done the reading prior to class and be prepared to actively participate in seminar discussion.

Note:  This course is combined with POL 804.

Grading

  • Participation, Preparation for Class, and Quizzes 30%
  • Project #1 15%
  • Project #2 25%
  • Final Group Project 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All Required Texts are available for free online.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.