Government 345 - Seminar in International Politics: The Politics of Data

Topics course: This course aims to understand the political implications of the Big Data era through a focus on how data has corresponded with power throughout history, from ancient times to today. We will consider how new data sources and technologies have driven significant social change, such as through the development of statistics (“science that serves the state”) for taxation and government census, surveillance practices for policing and national security, classification for anti-poverty programs, and data security regulations. The course presumes familiarity with basic probability and statistical concepts, such as that provided by GOV 203 or another introductory statistics course.

Instructor Permission Req. Limited to GOV majors Not open to first-years, sophomores