Data Visualization

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

This course introduces students to graphical methods of discovering and communicating public policy and politics insights from data. Students will become familiar with the fundamentals of visual perception and design, develop skills in multiple visualization software tools, and gain a foundation in programming for exploratory data analysis. Although much of the work is done in R, the course emphasizes creative problem solving and general principles that apply to most data visualization platforms. The course highlights the use of Wilkinson’s grammar of graphics as implemented in R as well as some R packages for specialist visualizations. Students will also create interactive visualizations, including maps, in Tableau. This is an active learning course. Students will work individually and collaboratively to consider subjective design tradeoffs and existing research on visualization best practices, and how to use technical skills to implement these principles. By the end of the semester, each student will create an aesthetically compelling and analytically sound visualization portfolio. No prior experience with R or coding is required. All students should be prepared to bring a laptop to each class session.