Linguistics 596

Python for Social Science

Course Description

Goals	The primary goal of the course is to acquaint students with the basics of the Python programming language and to introduce them to some of tehmany tools available for data collectuion and data analysis.
Practice	The course will use two required texts Python for Dummies (Stef Maruch and Aahz Maruch) and Python for Data Analysis (Wes McKinney), but will also make heavy use of online course notes and freely available Python software. There will be biweekly assignments alternating with biweekly inclass quizzes, a midterm, and a final project. Course outline Online book draft
Pre-requisites	No course pre-requisites. No knowledge of programming will be asssumed. Upper division standing. Some openness to acquiring computational skills. Some knowledge of what counts as interestinmg data in your own Social Science. Grading will be based on exercises, quizzes, and a final project.
Grading	Grading will be based on exercises, quizzes, midterm, and a final project. exercises 30% quizzes 20% midterm 25% final project 25%
Grading Assignments	Grading of problem sets is as follows: Plus Every problem attempted, effort on all problems, commented code. Even if the answers to some are wrong or give incorrect results, effort has been made and code has been tested. Check Very little or no effort made for at least one problem, code has very obviously not been tested, or code is uncommented. Minus No effort made on at least half the problem set, or problem set not turned in. To get a C in this class, you must earn a Plus on the majority of the assignments. Three Minus scores are a cause for concern and will require a meeting with the instructor. Late assignments will be graded a cording to the lateness policy, as solutions will be posted immediately.
Late Assignments Missed quizzes	The general structure of the course is not well-suited to late assignments or missed quizzed. Assignment solutions will be discussed in detail on the day they are turned in, and thus students who turn assignments in late will be at an advantage. Quizzes are designed to test understanding of foundation needed for further work, and without those foundations, progress will be slowed. However, to allow for some flexibility, late assignments will receive partial credit. Here is the lateness policy: Up to one week late: 50% credit for assignment (this basically turns a Plus into a Check, and a Check into a Minus). Late assignments must include all problems for which solutions have not been posted in order to receive any credit at all. More than one week late: not accepted
Attendance	Attendance is not a formal part of your grade. However, be aware that participation is, and participation is always easier when you are there. Also, hints on how to solve problems on the assignments and the midterms are handed out liberally in class. These hints will not be posted on the web page.
Office Hours	TuTh 11:00-12:00, Tu 3:30-4:30, M 3:00-4:00 Storm Hall West 238

Weekly Syllabus

Course outline

Mailing address:
Department of Linguistics and Oriental Languages
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7727
Telephone: (619) 594-0252
Office location: Storm Hall West, room 238