The easy way to install the relevant R packages (plus some that are not relevant to the course) is to execute in R
install.packages(c("rstanarm", "brms", "rstantools", "devtools"), dependencies = TRUE)
However, you also need to install a C++ toolchain (if you do not have one already) in order to compile Stan programs. Instructions for that vary by operating system but are available from
https://github.com/stan-dev/rstan/wiki/RStan-Getting-Started
If you encounter any issues before (or after) the course, please ask at
and someone will be able to help you.
Before the class, please read the first two chapters of the second edition of Statistical Rethinking by Richard McElreath
http://xcelab.net/rmpubs/sr2/statisticalrethinking2_chapters1and2.pdf
The rest of the book is available to pre-order from
In addition, there is a great video on Bayes' Rule by Grant Sanderson