CLOSUP, the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, is ready to bring real-world data to the classroom in a big way.
Through a recently awarded Quick Wins/Discovery grant, part of the University of Michigan's Third Century Initiative, CLOSUP will prepare 26 existing datasets from the Michigan Public Policy Survey and National Surveys on Energy and Environment into classroom-ready versions. Part of the research center's "CLOSUP in the Classroom" initiative, these data will be put to use immediately through two new undergraduate courses, also supported by the $49,048 grant. Each of the classes will be based on one of these two ongoing survey programs, and CLOSUP will continue to prepare future waves of survey data for use in classrooms across campus.
Up to 25 students with junior or senior status will be eligible to enroll in each of these new courses. The Michigan-themed class will be taught in the winter 2016 semester, with the course focused on energy and environment planned for the following academic year.