I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
Group VII: Social Sciences
Sociology
Dept/Program
Course #
202
Course Title
Prerequisite
Credits
3
Social Statistics
Math 117
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Instructor
Date
Sept. 12, 2008
Dusten Hollist
Kathy Kuipers
Phone / Email
243-2843; 243-4381
Program Chair
Celia Winkler
Dean
Gerald Fetz
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory
and foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
U 202 Social Statistics 3 cr. Offered every term. The goal of this course is to introduce basic
statistical concepts and techniques. The information gained provides a foundation to
understand the statistics often visible in our daily lives, in the newspaper and other popular
media (i.e. television and radio). It also provides the tools needed to enroll in more advanced
statistics courses. There are a variety of topics covered in this course. These will range from
basic organization of data, graphic presentation of data, probability, sampling distributions and
statistical inference. Required of all majors.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
1. Symbolic systems courses: rigorously present This course presents a mapping between
social interaction (behavioral, emotional, and
a mapping between a real-world system and a
human abstraction system;
cognitive) and the language and symbols of
statistics (numbers, charts, and graphs.)
2. apply analysis, reasoning and creative
It applies statistical analysis, probability
thinking in the understanding and manipulation theory, and inferential logic in understanding
of symbolic codes;
and manipulating statistical symbols and
numbers.
It uses the results of statistical calculations
3. utilizes alternative methods of
and manipulations to describe, clarify and
communication, perception, and expression in
order to encourage rigorous thinking.
interpret social interaction, encouraging
more rigorous and challenging thinking.
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
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Students taking a symbolic systems course will
be able to: demonstrate an understanding of the
symbols and the transformations of the system;
relay and interpret information in terms of the
given symbolic system;
Apply creative thinking using the symbolic
system in order to solve problems and
communicate ideas.
Upon completion of this course, students
will be able to demonstrate an
understanding of the symbols used in
statistical research and how they transform
numbers to give them meaning.
Students will be able to relay and interpret
social information in terms of statistical
symbols, operations, and reasoning
They will be able to apply creative thinking
skills using the language and logic of
statistical analysis in order to address a
variety of applied and theoretical social
problems and communicate them to both a
professional and general audience
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.
Social Statistics
Sociology 202
M-W-F 9:10 -10:00
Journalism, Room 217
Fall 2008
Instructor: Dusten Hollist
Office: Social Sciences 321
Office Hours: M, W, F 2:10p - 3:30p; or by appointment
Email Address: dusten.hollist@umontana.edu
Phone: 243-2843
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this course is to introduce you to basic statistical concepts and techniques. The
information gained will provide you with a foundation to understand the statistics often visible in
our daily lives, in the newspaper and other popular media (i.e. television and radio). It will also
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give you the tools needed to enroll in more advanced statistics courses, if you choose to do so.
There are a variety of topics covered in this course. These will range from basic organization of
data, graphic presentation of data, probability, sampling distributions and statistical inference.
LEARNING GOALS
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the symbols
used in statistical research and how they transform numbers to give them meaning. This will
include relaying, interpreting, and effectively communicating social information in terms of
statistical symbols, operations, and reasoning; and applying creative thinking skills using the
language and logic of statistical analysis in order to address a variety of applied and theoretical
social problems.
TEXTS
Healy, Joseph F. 2009. Statistics: A Tool For Social Research, 7th Edition. Wadsworth:
Belmont, CA.
Kranzler, John H. 2003. Statistics for the Terrified. Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River,
NJ.
The Healy text is required. The Kranzler text is optional. It is intended for students who have
suffered negative experiences with math courses in the past and come here fearful of statistics. It
contains learning strategies and ideas for understanding the concepts and practice behind the
statistics we will be learning.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Time:
Class time will be divided between presentation of the concepts that provide the foundation of
statistical analysis, the actual nuts and bolts associated with the applications of the statistics, and
interpreting what the results obtained allow us to say about the data and our research questions.
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It is imperative that you respect the opinions and comments of other students in the
course. Failure to respect other students or the instructor will result in removal from the
class and an out-of class meeting with me in my office. Other disruptive behaviors such
as talking out of turn, sleeping, or reading the newspaper will likewise not be tolerated.
Although attendance will not be taken (you are a grown-up now), you are expected to
attend class. It will be very difficult to do well if you do not attend regularly. Unlike
many other courses you might have taken, it will be difficult to catch-up and cram for
exams. Statistics are based on a building-block principle where later ideas build upon
previous ones. Make it a point to attend class! The TA and I will not provide notes or
schedule special meeting times to go over material that is missed due to a non-university
sanctioned absence.
Grades:
There will be five quizzes and five problem sets that will comprise the total points for the
semester (See the reading and quiz schedule at the end of this document). Each of the
quizzes is worth 50 points. Each of the problems sets is worth 10 points. Thus, there are
a total of 300 points possible for the term. Final grades will be determined based on your
average score out of the total points possible. Grades will be assigned according to the
following scale:
A
90 to 100 percent
B
80 to 89 percent
C
70 to 79 percent
D
60 to 69 percent
F
59 percent or below
Class Policies:
Each of the quizzes must be taken at the place and time they are scheduled. I will not
accept late work. Exceptions will be made only for university sanctioned excuses (i.e.
documented medical or family problems; university approved absences for athletic
participation, field trips, etc..). Reasonable accommodations will be made for students
who have a documented disability. Please notify me during the first week of class of any
accommodations that are needed for the course. Late notification may result in the
requested accommodations not being available. All accommodations must be approved
through Disability Services for Students (DSS) in Lommasson Center 154 (243-2243).
Academic Honesty and Integrity (UM official statement):
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an
academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the university.
All students must be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The code is available for
review online at http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm/page/1321.
Final Note:
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There will be times during the duration of the semester when you cannot figure
something out. While I encourage you to master the concepts presented in this course on
your own, you should not spend hours upon hours Ahung-up@ on something. I encourage
you to develop a Astudy-buddy@ or a group of Astudy-buddies@ as a way to learn the
information. Furthermore, class-time will always be open for questions and diagnosis of
problems that emerge... so come prepared.
Reading and Quiz Schedule
Changes in the reading and exam schedule may occasionally be made. Advance notice of
these changes will be made during class time.
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Aug 25th:
Introduction to Statistics
Healey Ch. 1
Aug 27th:
Introduction to Statistics
Healey Ch. 1
Aug 29th:
Basic Descriptive Statistics
Healey Ch. 2
Sept 1st:
Labor Day Holiday
No Classes
Sept 3rd:
Measures of Central
Tendency
Healey Ch. 3
Sept 5th:
Measures of Central
Tendency
Healey Ch. 3
Sept 8th:
Measures of Dispersion
Healey Ch. 4
Sept 10th:
Measures of Dispersion
Healey Ch. 4
Sept 12th:
Quiz #1
Covers chapters 1-4
Sept 15th:
The Normal Curve
Healey Ch. 5
Problem Set #1 Due
Sept 17th:
The Normal Curve
Healey Ch. 5
Sept 19th:
The Normal Curve
Healey Ch. 5
Sept 22nd:
Four Fundamental
Concepts
Healey Ch. 6
Sept 24th:
Four Fundamental
Concepts
Healey Ch. 6
Sept 26th:
Estimation
Healey Ch. 7
Sept 29th:
Estimation
Healey Ch. 7
Oct 1st:
Estimation
Healey Ch. 7
Oct 3rd:
Quiz #2
Covers chapters 5-7
Oct 6th:
Hypotheses Testing I
Healey Ch. 8
Problem Set #2 Due
Oct 8th:
Hypotheses Testing I
Healey Ch. 8
Oct 10th:
Hypotheses Testing II
Healey Ch. 9
Oct 13th:
Oct 15th:
Oct 17th:
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Hypotheses Testing II
Healey Ch. 9
Hypotheses Testing II
Healey Ch. 9
Analysis of Variance
Healey Ch. 10
Oct 20th:
Analysis of Variance
Healey Ch. 10
Oct 27th:
Analysis of Variance
Healey Ch. 10
Problem Set #3 Due
Oct 22nd:
Analysis of Variance
Healey Ch. 10
Oct 29th:
Chi-Square
Healey Ch. 11
Oct 24th:
Quiz #3
Covers chapters 8-10
Oct 31st:
Chi-Square
Healey Ch. 11
Nov 3rd:
Chi-Square
Healey Ch. 11
Nov 5th:
Nominal Level Association
Healey Ch=s. 12, 13
Nov 7th:
Nominal Level Association
Healey Ch=s. 12, 13
Nov 10th:
Ordinal Level Association
Healey Ch. 14
Nov 12th:
Ordinal Level Association
Healey Ch. 14
Nov 14th:
Exam #4
Covers chapters 10-14
Nov 17th:
Correlation and
Regression
Healey Ch. 15
Problem Set #4 Due
Nov 19th:
Correlation and
Regression
Healey Ch. 15
Nov 21st:
Correlation and
Regression
Healey Ch. 15
Nov 24th:
Correlation and
Regression
Healey Ch. 17
Nov 26th:
Thanksgiving Holiday
No Classes
Nov 28th:
Thanksgiving Holiday
No Classes
Dec 1st:
Correlation and
Regression
Healey Ch. 17
Dec 3rd:
Correlation and
Regression
Healey Ch. 17
Dec 5th:
Correlation and
Regression
Healey Ch. 17
Dec 8th:
Finals Week
Problem Set #5 Due
Dec 10th:
Finals Week
Dec 12th:
Finals Week
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