Rita Mae Brown once wrote "The statistics on sanity are that one out
of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental
illness.  Think of your three best friends.  If they're okay, then
it's you." Is this a valid conclusion?  Is this really what
statistics tell us?  Is it true that statistics lie and liars use
statistics?

Charts, graphs and tables are visual ways of presenting statistical
information.  Skilled liars may be able to manipulate charts, graphs
and tables in order to present a false picture; skilled consumers
know how to
see through the manipulation.  In this course, you will learn how to
read, interpret and evaluate charts, graphs and tables, and you will
become skilled at constructing accurate and informative charts,
graphs and tables.  This is an important skill to have if you are
planning on a career in research, medicine, business, or any other
field where information-processing is required.

By developing your skills as a consumer and producer of charts,
graphs and tables, this course will introduce you to the central
concepts, methods, and perspectives of sociology.  You will gain
hands-on experience using a simple software program, StudentChip, to
analyze data from census reports, FBI crime summaries, and a nation-
wide public opinion survey. Drawing on sociological concepts,
theories, and research presented in class and in the readings, you
will build your own arguments for the reasons behind the patterns
that you uncover.

Note: This course fulfills a COAS Math and Cognition requirement and
also replaces S100 as the required introductory course for sociology.