- Winter 2022
Syllabus Description:
POLS 559 - Text as Data
John Wilkerson jwilker@uw.edu Bio/CV (Links to an external site.) (for information about my research interests)
Office hours: Monday 11-12pm or by appointment (also happy to meet at other times). Please contact me via email for Zoom link while we are remote.
Overview
This class introduces computational approaches to collecting, formatting and analyzing text as data, as well as images and sound. It provides a conceptual foundation for students who are interested in Text as Data opportunities in the Social Sciences.
Sequence
We begin by considering the research opportunities and challenges associated with using text as a data source.
We then work through the stages of a text as data project, including selecting text, converting words to data; and analyzing textual data; and validation.
Programming expectations
This class assumes that students already have some programming abilities. Students will have to use R and Python in homework assignments and ultimately write original scripts to complete their final projects.
The most important assignment is an original and innovative research paper applying what we've covered in class. We will discuss this in more detail, but everyone should be thinking about a project that has value beyond this course (e.g. might eventually lead to a publication).
Required books
- Text as Data: A New Framework for Machine Learning and the Social Sciences (Links to an external site.). Justin Grimmer, Margaret Roberts, Brandon Stewart.
- Text Mining in R. Julia Silge and David Robinson
- Text Analysis in Python for Social Scientists: Discovery and Exploration. Dirk Hovy
Grading
- Participation (20%) – Class attendance and contributions to in-class discussions and activities. Readings are for the listed date (they should be completed in advance of that date).
- Homeworks (30%) – They are due Mon. evening on Canvas unless otherwise noted.
- Research Project (50%) . We will be discussing potential projects early in the class and we’ll continue to discuss them. My office door is open (so to speak) for brainstorming! Deadlines: Meet to discuss proposal (by Feb 21); Accepted proposal (March 4); Final project (March 17)
COVID accommodation
The first week of class (at least) will be remote. We will be meeting via Zoom (sadly). The Zoom link is posted on the Canvas website. Zoom meetings will be recorded (out of consideration for those who cannot attend for health reasons). and will only be available to students registered for this course.
If you are ill, we will make accommodations so that you do not feel compelled to attend class.
Academic honesty
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated under any circumstances. A suspected instance will be reported and disciplinary actions may ensue. For further detail about the University of Washington’s academic honesty policy, please refer to this website. (Links to an external site.)
Accommodations and support
Disability Resources for Students (DRS) offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary or permanent disability that requires accommodations (this can include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924, or uwdrs@uw.edu. See this website. (Links to an external site.)
- The Counseling Center and Hall Health are excellent resources on campus that many UW students utilize. Students may get help with study skills, career decisions, substance abuse, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, or other concerns.
- Counseling center website (Links to an external site.)
- Hall health website (Links to an external site.)
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/) (Links to an external site.). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/) (Links to an external site.).