Governing by Numbers (Level 5)
Classes
Thursday 03 October - Thursday 12 December 2024, 6pm-9pm
20 sessions - Check class timetable
Overview
Information is power, and statistical information is often more powerful than other types of information, even though it can be presented misleadingly. Our Governing by Numbers short course is designed for those with no background in mathematics or statistics who would like to be able to understand the statistical data that is used in public debate, and find data relevant to questions they are interested in.
This course introduces you to the wealth of official statistical information available, and encourages you to use it. You will find out how to look up statistics relevant to politics and international relations from authoritative sources, and learn how to present and interpret data using spreadsheets and graphs.
We plan to cover:
- coronavirus in an age of data visualisation
- GDP and welfare
- poverty and inequality
- demography, women's equality and politics
- welfare and democracy
- the global economy
- voting behaviour: class, gender and ethnicity
- the political geography of deprivation in the UK.
Assessment is via a 1000-2000-word data exercise (40%), 1000-2000-word essay (40%) and 300-word journal (20%).
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
You should have some knowledge of politics and public policy, either through introductory university study or through professional experience. Some familiarity with Microsoft Excel is also helpful, but not essential. We will discuss some basic statistical concepts, such as correlation, on this course but you will not be expected to grapple with advanced statistics.
As part of the enrolment process, you may be required to submit a copy of a suitable form of ID.
International students who wish to come to the UK to study a short course can apply for a Visitor visa. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Student visa to study a short course.
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How to apply
How to apply
You register directly onto the classes you would like to take. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis - so apply early. If you wish to take more than one short course, you can select each one separately and then register onto them together via our online application portal. There is usually no formal selection process, although some modules may have prerequisites and/or other requirements, which will be specified where relevant.