Courses: Session I

ECON 103/SOC 190 Introduction to Probability and Statistical Methods

Joe Swingle, Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology
An introduction to the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of quantitative data as used to understand problems in economics and sociology. Using examples drawn from these fields, this course focuses on basic concepts in probability and statistics, such as measures of central tendency and dispersion, hypothesis testing, and parameter estimation. Data analysis exercises are drawn from both academic and everyday applications. Students may register for either ECON 103 or SOC 190. Credit will be given in the department in which the student is registered.

Prerequisite: 101 or 102 or one course in Sociology and fulfillment of the basic skills component of the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement. Not open to students who have taken [QR 199]. Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 220 or PSYC 205.
Credit: 1.0 unit (4 sem. hrs.)
Course Fee: $2000

Lectures: M,T,W,TH,F 9:00  - 10:30 and Friday 9:00 - 11:00
Labs: T,TH 10:45 - 12:15

Location: Pendleton East 139 (lecture) & Pendleton East 129 (lab)

Professor's Statement

Research and Teaching Areas
Outside of the classroom, I have been doing research on two related topics: (i) changes in American family structure, with particular emphasis on children living with neither biological parent, and (ii) changes over time in the material hardship of single mothers. My current work primarily involves the analysis of large, nationally representative sample surveys like the Current Population Survey, the American Housing Survey, and the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Other research interests include income and social inequality and the sociology of education.

Beginning in the summer of 2002, I will be starting a new project that explores the lives of never married men and women in their 30s and 40s.

Biography
I began teaching at Wellesley in Fall 1999 as a lab instructor for Quantitative Reasoning 199, Introduction to Social Science Data Analysis. At the time, I was a graduate student at Harvard University. I finished my PhD the following year and have remained here at Wellesley, splitting my time between QR199 and Sociology 301 Methods of Social Research, a course that introduces students to the fundamentals of survey design and multivariate analysis. I graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, MN with a major in Sociology/Anthropology and spent two years as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa. As a PCV I taught secondary school mathematics in a small town called Bibiani.

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