Democracy’s Data: Analytics and Insights into American Elections

Course Number: 84-355

“Democracy’s Data: Analytics and Insights into American Elections” offers a unique blend of political science and data analytics, focusing on the American electoral process with a special emphasis on contemporary elections. This course bridges historical electoral outcomes with current political events, highlighting how understanding past elections is key to interpreting the dynamics of present and future elections. This course recognizes a common observation: people often view the next election as the most consequential. However, history tells us that the impact of elections can be profound and long-lasting. From the pivotal election of 1876, which ended Reconstruction and reshaped the country for a century, to the razor-thin margins in the 1960 Kennedy election and the 2000 Bush-Gore contest, American politics have been deeply influenced by electoral outcomes.

Throughout the semester, students will delve into data analytics’ foundational concepts, focusing on data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation. These techniques are applied to contemporary election trends, voter behavior, and political campaigning. The course uses historical elections as case studies to illustrate how past events and trends can shed light on current electoral phenomena.

The curriculum emphasizes the significance of historical context in shaping our understanding of today’s elections. Students will explore how factors such as changing voter demographics, technological advancements in campaigning, and shifts in political ideologies have evolved over time and what they mean for current and future electoral strategies and outcomes.

Hands-on projects with real electoral data sets will enable students to apply their analytical skills to contemporary election scenarios. This approach enhances their ability to discern patterns and draw meaningful conclusions about modern political campaigns and voter behavior.

Academic Year: 2024-2025
Semester(s): Fall
Units: 9
Prerequisite(s): 36-200
Location(s): Pittsburgh