| Assignment | Weight |
|---|---|
| Homework | 25% |
| Data Sketches | 25% |
| Final Project | 50% |
Syllabus
Instructor
Course details
- M, W
- 1:15pm - 2:30pm
- Duke 102
- Teams
Course overview
There has perhaps never been a time when data on economic and social affairs are so readily available. We are drowning in data! The big complicated problems of our time (climate change, inequality, development, life expectancy, etc…) are being argued in narratives replete with data. In this class, we learn to become part of this conversation by building written, oral, and visual stories with data. As part of this course, you will learn the basics of the R statistical programming language. If you continue in your data journey, you will find that learning this language will be of significant benefit as it will reappear in Econ 358 (Introduction to Econometrics) and Data Science courses. And of course, it is a skill employers value!
Learning Objectives
Evaluate and critique data visualizations and narratives to become better consumers of economic data.
Become familiar with common sources of economic data.
Understand and apply data visualization and storytelling best practices to communicate accessible and meaningful insights.
Develop the technical skills to execute data visualizations and exploration in the R programming language.
Course materials
We will frequently refer to:
Kieran Healy, Data Visualization: A Practical Introduction (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2018), FREE online; Physical copies available at book retailers as well.
All other readings and materials will be available either as links on this site, or as electronic reserves on our Moodle course website.
R, RStudio, and positCloud
We will learn and use a number of tools to communicate data stories. However, the bulk of our focus will be on the R programming language. We will work using a more user friendly interface called RStudio. These are both free, an if you are thinking about pursuing this programming language long term, I encourage you to download and install them using the instructions on the RStudio website.
However, our course is self contain in the Posit.cloud service, which will run from a web browser, requiring no installation. Our class workspace on Posit.cloud has all of our programming assignments and materials, however it requires a $5 monthly fee and a sign in code. We will walk through this in-class.
Online help
One of the wonderful things about the R programming language is the supportive online community that has grown up around it. This community is a great resource for when you’ve hit a wall in your programming.
If you are wondering how to do something that is not covered in the basic help files, StackOverflow or the RStudio Community probably have an answer somewhere.
Our class will also maintain a Teams chat where we can ask and answer eachother’s questions.
Artificial Intelligence
One of the areas in which large language models like ChatGPT are increasingly used is in programming assistance. This is both a blessing and a curse. I’d encourage you to read the first few paragraphs here
In our class, I ask that you use ChatGPT only to solve problems in your code that you cannot fix yourself. It is pretty good at finding that spelling mistake, open bracket, or logical error. However, it can also impede learning by producing code you might not understand and rob you of the learning that comes with using your brain’s recall.
If you do use it, I expect that you will cite it accordingly, just as you would any other source. Grades and assessment will address knowledge, skills, and expertise you need to meet course learning objectives with generative AI as a resource, just as you might use Google, meetings with an Armacost librarian, or time with me in office hours. Failure to cite generative AI use will be considered a violation of the university’s academic honesty policy.
Course schedule
Our course schedule can be found on the schedule page. Almost all sessions will have two parts: (1) before-class readings, videos, etc…, and (2) after-class assignments.
The idea is to work through the content page () for each session before class, and the assignment for each session () after we’ve discussed the content in class.
Course policies
Accomodations
If you are a student with a disability that qualifies for academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, contact Academic Success and Accessibility (ASA). ASA is located on the ground floor of the Armacost Library, down the hall from the Jones Computer Center (past the restrooms). You can reach the office at 909-748-8069 or asa@redlands.edu and online here.
Academic honesty
The University of Redlands Academic Catalog has a complete statement of our policy on Academic Honesty. I strongly suggest you familiarize yourself with it.If you are ever unsure whether you are “borrowing” or “plagiarizing” please ask me. Cases of plagiarism if submitted without question will be reported to the college, will result in a failing grade for the course, and probably won’t do you much good on the type of assignments I give anyway.
For additional information on AI, please see the relevant section of this syllabus.
Devices in the classroom:
Please bring your laptop to every class session! It will be essential to our in-class work. If you do not have a laptop, please see Section 6 of this syllabus
Emotional Well Being
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides free and confidential mental health services, including short-term individual therapy, group therapy, single session therapy, consultations, and urgent appointments to all students with in-person or virtual options. Our Counseling Center is committed to inclusivity and to providing a supportive space for everyone. Please call 909-748-8108 to schedule an appointment or email counseling_center@redlands.edu If a student is in crisis, please call 909-748-8960 for the 24/7 mental health crisis line. For more information on our resources, go here. Another option for individual therapy for all students is TimelyCare, which provides virtual therapy immediately (Talk Now) or up to 12 scheduled virtual therapy sessions per year. Students can choose their therapist from a list of providers for the scheduled therapy option.
Conflict Resolution Center
Experiencing a conflict? Whether it’s with a friend, roommate, another member of a student organization, or faculty or staff member, conflicts happen. Learning to navigate conflicts is important to success in virtually any field, and a vital step in being a part of a community and having healthy, meaningful relationships with others. See here for more information.
CARE Team
The University CARE Team exists to help provide support and resources to students that are overwhelmed, experiencing significant distress, or possibly present some risk to themselves or others. As a faculty member, I may reach out to students about whom I am concerned to talk individually, and/or refer them to the CARE Team. If you have concerns about a fellow student, consider sharing your concern with the CARE Team via their online form. This is part of who we are as a caring, proactive community where we all look out for one another. Additionally, if you feel that you or someone else needs immediate mental health support, the University has a 24/7 mental health crisis line at 909-748-8960, and the Timely Care app, which offers on-demand emotional care. Both services connect to a live, licensed counselor.
Basic needs and campus resources
The University offers a number of resources for students who may be experiencing financial emergencies or impediments. I’ve compiled a full list of resources here.
Perhaps most relevant to our course is the laptop lending program that Armacost Library runs. If this doesn’t meet your needs, please get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to connect you to other resources on campus to get access to a laptop.
Office of Equity and Title IX
In order to provide a safe and equitable learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking) are not tolerated at the University of Redlands. The University prohibits unlawful discrimination or harassment (as defined in the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Retaliation) on the basis of age, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, pregnancy, status as a complaining party of domestic violence, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion/creed, citizenship status (except to comply with legal requirements for employment), military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you or someone you know has experienced or experiences any of these behaviors, know that you are not alone. You can contact the Office of Equity and Title IX for reporting options, supportive measures, and resources to support you.
All faculty and staff at the University of Redlands are considered “Responsible Employees,” which means that if you tell me about a situation involving any of the above, I must report the matter to the Office of Equity and Title IX. Although I make that report, you are in control of how you would like to proceed, including whether or not you wish to pursue a formal complaint. Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of reporting options available to you and have access to the support and resources you need.
Reporting
To report an incident directly, you can:
• Contact the Interim Director of Equity & Title IX, Christopher Jones, at 909-748-8289 or titleix@redlands.edu
• Report online at: www.redlands.edu/titleixandequity
You can also report to local law enforcement at 909-798-7681, ext. 1. If you are ever in immediate danger, please call 911 or email/text 911@redlandspolice.org if you cannot call.
To reach Public Safety on campus, call 909-748-8888 or use the Rave Guardian app.
Resources
If you wish to speak to someone confidentially (meaning not connecting with the Office of Equity and Title IX Office), you can contact the following resources:
Campus:
Counseling Center: 909-748-8108 or 24-Hour Crisis Line: 909-748-8960
TimelyCare, 24/7 emotional support; 12 free telehealth counseling sessions
Community:
Partners Against Violence, 24-hour sexual assault crisis line: 909-885-8884
Option House, 24-hour dating/domestic violence crisis line: 909-381-3471
Online:
https://www.rainn.org/ (sexual assault);
https://www.loveisrespect.org/
For more information, visit www.redlands.edu/titleixandequity
Assignments and grades
Assignments can be found on both the schedule page and can be found by using the left hand links on the materials page.
| Grade | Range | Grade | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 93–100% | C | 73–76% |
| A− | 90–92% | C− | 70–72% |
| B+ | 87–89% | D+ | 67–69% |
| B | 83–86% | D | 63–66% |
| B− | 80–82% | D− | 60–62% |
| C+ | 77–79% | F | < 60% |
Johnston Contracts
For students enrolled in this course as JNST-000K-01: Data Storytelling, we will meet individually to discuss the relationship between the structure of the course and your goals given your emphasis. We should have met by the secon week of classes.