class: center, middle, inverse, title-slide .title[ # 1: Asking Social Science Questions ] .subtitle[ ## Empirical Methods ] .author[ ### <large>J. Seawright</large> ] .institute[ ### <small>Northwestern Political Science</small> ] .date[ ### Sept. 16, 2025 ] --- class: center, middle <style type="text/css"> pre { max-height: 400px; overflow-y: auto; } pre[class] { max-height: 200px; } </style> ### Has the level of racism in the US changed over time? --- <img src="images/Sears1.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Sears2.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Sears3.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Sears4.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Sears5.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Sears6.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Sears7.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Rucker1.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Rucker2.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Rucker3.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/quilliantitle.JPG" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/resumetime.JPG" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Bertrand1.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Bertrand2.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Bertrand3.png" width="90%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- <img src="images/Kline.png" width="50%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- ### How do we make sense of all of this? --- ### Our Goals 1. Understand and critically read how social scientists use methods 2. Have hands-on experience using key methods in structured, guided ways 3. Identify stronger and weaker methodological arguments in empirical social science, and explain what makes the difference --- ### Course Mechanics - 30% of the term grade comes from a take-home midterm. - 30% of the term grade comes from a final exam. - 10% of the term grade comes from participation. - 30% of the term grade comes from three assignments. --- ### Key Dates - October 9th: First homework due. - October 16th: Midterm. - November 7th: Second homework due. - November 21st: Third homework due. - Monday, December 8th: 2 PM: Take-home final exam due.