Quantitative Review of a Political Science Documentary/Movie
For this assignment, students will select one of three movies/documentaries shown during first six weeks of the term. Students write a critical quantitative review of the documentary they select. This review essay should contain three components: (1) identification of key quantitative arguments and statements; (2) identification of key qualitative arguments; (3) analysis of how these key qualitative and quantitative arguments frame the central argument of the documentary. By investigating these three components, students will analyze the strength and weakness of the use of quantitative reasoning in the documentary.
- to introduce quantitative critical thinking.
- to learn how to present in narratives with quantitative evidence and images.
- to prepare for the main assignment of this course which requires understanding and the use of quantitative evidence and critical thinking in writing.
Context for Use
Description and Teaching Materials
Teaching Notes and Tips
References and Resources
Our Daily Bread. Dir. Nikolaus Geyrhalter. First Run Icarus Films, 2005.
Our Friends at the Bank. Dir. Peter Chappel. Icarus Films, 1997.
Readings for Assignment:
Chapter 2: "Seven Basic Principles" in Jane E. Miller, The Chicago Guide to Writing about Numbers: The Effective Presentation of Quantitative Information,The University of Chicago Press, 2004.
Chapter 1: "Images and Quantities" in Edward R. Tufte, Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidences and Narratives,Graphics Press 1997.