Schedule

Below is the schedule for the semester. You should:

The readings refer to following texts:

ImportantThis schedule is subject to change

Ideally, we will be able to cover all of this content in the semester, but given that there may be unforeseen issues (e.g., university closures or sickness) this schedule is subject to change. However, if there are changes this page will be updated and there will be an announcement made on Ed Discussion Board.

Date Title Reading
Module 1: An introduction to ‘quantitative social science’
9/2/2026 First Class None
9/9/2026 Second Class ROS Ch 1; TE Chs 0 & 1
Module 2: Critical thinking: the role of prediction and defining research questions
9/14/2026 First Class ROS Apps A.1-A.3
9/16/2026 Second Class TE Ch 2
Module 3: Back to the basics: data collection, description, and visualization
9/21/2026 First Class ROS Ch 2
9/23/2026 Second Class TE Chs 3 & 4
Module 4: Nuts and bolts: a review of some math and probability
9/28/2026 First Class ROS Ch 3
9/30/2026 Second Class ROS Apps A.4-A.5
Module 5: Bread and butter: statistical inference and identification
10/5/2026 First Class ROS Ch 4
10/7/2026 Second Class TE Ch 5
Module 6: The city on the hill: simulation(s) and causal diagrams
10/14/2026 First Class ROS Ch 5 & Apps A.6-A.7
10/19/2026 Second Class TE Chs 6 & 7
Module 7: Laying the foundation: background on regression and ‘doors’ in causal inference
10/21/2026 First Class ROS Ch 6
10/26/2026 Second Class TE Chs 8 & 9
Module 8: y = mx + b: regression with a single predictor and causal treatment effects
10/28/2026 First Class ROS Ch 7
11/2/2026 Second Class TE Ch 10
Module 9: y = b1x1 + b2x2 + b3x3…: linear regression with multiple predictors
11/4/2026 First Class ROS Ch 10
11/9/2026 Second Class TE Chs 11 & 12
Module 10: But what about causality?: experiments and selection on observables
11/11/2026 First Class ROS Ch 18
11/16/2026 Second Class ROS Secs 20.1-20.3; TE Secs 13.1, 13.2.0-13.2.1, 13.4.1-13.4.3
Module 11: Rubber meets the road: using regression for experiments and matching
11/18/2026 First Class ROS Ch 19
11/23/2026 Second Class ROS Secs 20.4, 20.5, & 20.7; TE Secs 14.1-14.3, 14.5, & 14.6
Module 12: All by design: design-based causal inference
11/30/2026 First Class TE 18.1; Card & Krueger (1994)
12/2/2026 Second Class TE 20.1; Hoekstra (2009)
Reading and Finals Weeks
12/2/2026 Practice exam distributed
Exam Week (TBD) Final exam