Metropolitan Area Characteristics and Residential Segregation Using American FactFinder

Abstract

This paper assignment teaches students how to use American FactFinder from the U.S. Census Bureau to examine data on two comparably sized metropolitan areas. Students extract data from the 2014 5-year American Community Survey (ACS). Students also apply urban theories and recent research from course readings to theorize about residential segregation...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Urban Sociology

Resource Type(s):

Assignment

Class Level(s):

College 300

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

As this assignment has been used in an online course, I provide a detailed walkthrough of how to access the data via Factfinder, but if used in a face-to-face course, I suggest walking students through this process in class, as well as providing the walkthrough for reference. Additionally, it may be helpful to have students practice extracting data from...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students demonstrate data literacy with FactFinder and the ACS
2. Students present and discuss the ACS data they extract from FactFinder
3. Students can connect theory and readings to ACS data

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Students use FactFinder to find and extract ACS data on a series of sociodemographic characteristics for each of the selected metropolitan areas
2. Students present a table (using a template) of the sociodemographic data they extract from FactFinder. Students also present these data in the text of their paper and offer a discussion comparing the characteristics of the two metropolitan areas
3. Students offer potential explanations for residential segregation within and between metropolitan areas using course concepts presented in readings as well as the sociodemographic characteristics they extract from FactFinder