TBC

Students must have completed Introduction to Political Science (GV101), Elementary Statistical Theory (ST102), Programming for Data Science (ST101) and Research Design in Political Science (GV249).

The Data Science and Civic Engagement Capstone requires groups of students to carry out an applied research project in order to address a practical policy issue or problem relevant to a civic partner organisation. This allows students to extend their capabilities and apply methodological knowledge and skills they learned in the Politics and Data Science degree to address real-life social, political, or policy problems. Capstone partner organisations may include advocacy groups, NGOs, thinktanks, public sector bodies, local governments, international organisations, or private companies where projects involve the social good. The initial weeks of the course will introduce students to the requirements of their Capstone project, key research strategies and essential questions. At the same time, from week 1 students will begin to research in allocated teams. Students are also expected to work steadily throughout the term with members of their team and with their supervisors. The completed research will be presented by week 11, both in the form of a team presentation and a report.

2 hours of workshops in the AT. 6 hours of workshops in the WT. 2 hours of workshops in the ST.

2 hours of workshops in MT, 6 hours of workshops in LT, and 2 hours of presentations in ST.

These workshops are supplemented with regular help sessions.

Students will be expected to produce 1 presentation in the WT.

Capstone groups must produce 1 team presentation for the “check-in” session, usually in week 5 of LT.

As a capstone project course, there will not be required readings. However, students will be directed towards potentially useful background resources including:

Cyd Harrell (2020). A Civic Technologist's Practice Guide. Five Seven Five Books.

Eugene Bardach and Eric M. Patashnik (2016). A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis. London: Sage.

Brian A. Griffith and Ethan B. Dunham (2015). Working in Teams: Moving from High Potential to High Performance. London: Sage.

Edward R. Tufte (2001). The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. 2nd edition. Cheshire, Conn.: Graphics Press.

Project (80%, 8000 words) and presentation (20%) in the WT.

Group project (80%, 8000 words) and group presentation (20%) in the LT.