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TIME: Monday & Wednesday 9:05AM-9:55AM (Lecture) Friday 9:05AM-9:55AM (Section 20) Friday 10:10AM-11:00AM (Section 21) ROOM: Gore 217 (Lecture) & Smith 040 (Lab)
INSTRUCTOR: Matthew Davis
OFFICE HOURS: Monday 10AM-12PM & By Appointment
OFFICE: 87 E. Main (next to Grassroots) Room 111
CONTACT: davism@udel.edu / (302) 753-1233 (cell)

TA / LAB: Joshua Martineau
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday 11:15AM-1:15PM
OFFICE: 87 E. Main (next to Grassroots) Room 111
CONTACT: jsm@udel.edu

Course Description and Objectives:

In an increasingly competitive academic and professional world, it is important to have a solid understanding of the tools that are commonly used in the discipline of political science. This course is designed to ground students with basic skills to help them succeed, both academically and professionally. The course will focus on two major themes: how to conduct (and analyze) good political science research, and how to carry out (and analyze) basic statistical analysis. While covering these subjects in depth, we will also touch on how to write and present your work in a professional manner. Assessment will be based on two exams, periodic homework assignments, and a research project.

Readings & Homework:

Students are expected to do the required readings and homework, and be prepared to discuss them in class on the date they are assigned.

E-mail:

I will regularly use the UD POBox system to send e-mails to the class, including readings, important e-mails such as updates to the syllabus, last minute schedule changes, etc. Therefore, it is imperative that you have an activated UD account that you check regularly (or have your UD e-mail forwarded to an account that you check regularly).

Grading:

Your grade in this class will be based on attendance, class participation, homework, two exams, and a consulting project. Your final grade will be determined as follows:

• 20% Mid Term Exam
• 20% Final Exam
• 20% Consulting Project (15%) & Presentation (5%)
• 20% Homework (15%) & Notebook (5%)
• 10% Attendance
• 10% Class Participation

Grading Scale:

• A 93-100
• A- 90-93
• B+ 87-89
• B 84-86
• B- 80-83
• C+ 77-79
• C 74-76
• C- 70-73
• D 65-69
• F 64 and below

Exams: Two exams will be offered – a mid-term and a final. The final exam will not be intentionally cumulative, but some questions may draw on concepts discussed in the first part of the semester. Exams will be take-home, and may consist of statistical problems, definitions, short answer, and/or essay questions. You may use your book, notes, a calculator, and/or SPSS to complete the exams. You may not work together on the exams – I will have my eyes open for plagiarism or other forms of cheating.

Homework: Throughout the semester you will be be assigned homework from your SPSS workbook and other sources. Assignments should be completed by the next class after the date listed in the syllabus, unless otherwise noted. They will be considered late if turned in after the beginning of class on the day due. You must turn in all homework assignments to receive a passing homework grade!

Notebook: The easiest way to pass this class is to take good notes and pay attention during lecture. To encourage you to do this, I will be requiring you to turn in your notebooks to be graded at the time of the mid-term exam and the final exam. As long as you take notes each day, you will receive full credit (it's pass/fail – you either do it or you don't), so as long as you take notes this can only be to your advantage. Also, the mid-term and final exam will be open notebook. This should serve as further motivation for you to take good notes.

Class Participation: I expect that you will be prepared to discuss the readings each day that class is held. Students who are consistently unprepared for discussion or do not do the readings will find this is reflected in their final participation grade.

Attendance: Regular attendance is required for this class. Everyone starts out with a 100% score for attendance. You may miss four classes for unexcused reasons. After that, I will deduct 10% from your grade for each class missed. If you arrive late, you will receive half credit for attendance on that day.

Consulting Project & Presentation: The class will be divided into groups of five. Each group will be assigned a “consulting project”, in which you will analyze available statistical data and previous research to offer advice to your client. Each group will prepare a 10 to 15 page report (typed, double spaced, standard font & margins) outlining its findings and client advice, as well as prepare a 5 to 10 minute Power Point presentation summarizing the results. Each group will receive a handout further detailing its consulting project and assignment expectations.

Requirements & Administrative Notes:

When we are discussing political issues, class debates may at times become heated. Please be polite to your peers and respect their different opinions. Students who are rude or disrespectful during class discussion may be asked to leave. Anyone disrupting lecture will be asked to leave. Please turn off your cell phones before coming to class, and mute your laptop if you are using one to take notes. Do not send text messages during class. If I see you doing so, you will be asked to leave.

Assignments should be turned in on the dates due, as indicated on the syllabus. Late work will be penalized by one-half a letter grade for each day that it is late (but the lowest grade I will give is an F (50%), so it is always to your advantage to turn in your work, no matter how late). Extra credit (if offered) may not be turned in late.

Academic Integrity:

Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Anyone caught cheating or submitting work that is not their own will be reported to the Judicial System as outlined in the Student Guide to University Policies.

Illnesses & Extenuating Circumstances:

If you cannot fulfill the course requirements due to a legitimate extenuating circumstance (illness, death in the family, emergency, etc.) please contact the Office of Campus Life (http://www.udel.edu/campuslife/). The staff there will help you with the necessary documentation and notify your professors as needed.

Required Text:

Schedule and Assigned Readings: