SST 295-01 - Special Topic: Political Polling: Analyzing the Grinnell College National Poll

2 credits (Fall)

This short course, taught by visiting professor Ron Rapoport (The College of William and Mary), will analyze soon-to-be-released data from the inaugural Grinnell College National Poll, a pilot project which pollster Ann Selzer is overseeing. Students will assess public opinion data on key political figures and policy issues with an aim of understanding the political landscape of the 2018 midterm elections. The course will lay the foundation for this analysis by focusing on the formulation, implementation and analysis of political and public policy surveys. Topics include the psychology of survey response, question formulation and testing, sampling, index construction, hypothesis formulation/testing and data analysis.

Prerequisite: MAT 115, SST 115, STA 209 (previously offered as MAT 209).
Instructor: Trish