STA 121 CC: SOC STATS THRU SOC JUSTICE

Social Statistics through Social Justice  How problematic is racial profiling in America?  What does it mean to be “below the poverty line”?  Are some countries “happier” than others?  If so, how do we know?  These social justice and social policy questions are often examined using quantitative data.  The importance of data in public discourse around these issues gives statistics the power to change society.  With great power, however, comes great responsibility.  This course is not about simply using data related to topical news items to learn statistical techniques.  It is about how the responsible use of statistics can help us understand and address the most important questions facing society.  To that end, the course begins with the study of the philosophical underpinnings of the question, “what makes a society just?”  Through the original works of Aristotle, Rawls, Dworkin, and others, students will be introduced to traditional approaches for framing social justice questions.  Students will develop statistical techniques in exploratory data analysis, experimental design, sampling, and regression using data aimed at addressing social policy and social justice questions.  Students will combine their knowledge of the philosophy of justice with statistical techniques to address issues of social justice in the world around them.