The complete set of course materials is online, organized into session-by-session segments. The readings for each session are designed to be read after the lecture. One reason I've made this an entirely web-based course is that it enables me to “insert” related material using links, without interrupting the flow of the readings. All of the linked-to material is also required reading, so please be sure to eventually – perhaps on your second reading – click through all the links.
There will be time after each of our first three sessions together for your study group to work through an assignment. I've tried to keep the assignments short and well-focused. Completing each assignment is essential in order to be prepared for the following class session.
There is a set of exercises attached to each session: A full set of answers is attached to each set. All of the exercises are based on previous exams, so they provide a thorough exposure to all of the important topics of the course. Try them (during and after our time together), reconcile your answers with mine and your classmates’, and contact me whenever uncertainties remain. You can reach me by email at rjweber@northwestern.edu, or by phone at (01)847-644-2585.
Should you bring your own computer to class and try to work along with me? That's a personal decision. Some find working in parallel to be very helpful, and others find it a counterproductive distraction. Having a computer with you in class is recommended, but not required.
All of the course software runs inside of Excel for Windows. If you choose to work with an iMac or the like, you MUST install emulation software (such as "Parallels"), and then install Windows and Office for Windows on your computer. [Blame Microsoft for making Excel for the Mac and Excel for Windows incompatible.]
The evaluative component of the course consists of a take-home examination given a few weeks after the last class. About a week before the exam, I'll email you a dataset and suggestive commentary. (Honor code: You may discuss and analyze the dataset within your study group, but there should be no cross-study-group communication regarding it.) On the day of the exam, have the dataset on your computer: Most of the exam will consist of questions that can be answered by analyzing the data using the course “regression analysis” software (KStat). The exam will be open-book, open-notes, and open-whatever-other-personal-reference-material-you-might-find-useful. With luck and a little preparation, you'll probably find that you've anticipated and worked out answers to many of the exam questions in advance.
The course exercises are all based on previous examinations, so you'll have a good idea of what to expect by the time exam day rolls around.