Introduction to Data

Data analysis is a tool used by astrophysicists and advertisers, politicians and students of Shakespeare. Data can be used to manipulate and harm; and it can be used to address the most pressing issues facing society from curing disease to fighting injustice. This course is an introduction to data for students with any background, planning to pursue any major at Middlebury. We will tackle the following questions: How is data collected? How do we access data? How do we use data? We will get data into a format we can analyze, learn theoretical and practical tools for analysis, and explore ways to communicate our findings (e.g., data visualization). (The course will have a topical theme that may change from year to year.) (Only open to incoming first year students)