HIST112

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HIST112

Introduction to Quantitative Methods in History HIST112 SP

Next Offered in 9899 SP

Increasingly, historians study the past using statistical techniques. Often such analysis is accomplished using electronic computers. In public and professional life and in society in general, we as citizens are frequently presented with arguments and debates concerning policy and choices. As voters and consumers we are bombarded with statistical information, often in misleading ways. This course is an introduction to statistics as used by historians, with nearly all historical examples being drawn from articles and books written by currently active historians. The historical questions examined range over a period of several centuries. We will examine some exciting historical data bases using modern Unix computer graphics work stations.

MAJOR READINGS

L. Haskins and K. Jeffrey, UNDERSTANDING
QUANTITATIVE HISTORY, MIT Press
Other reading to be announced (articles chosen from
contemporary historical journals).

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Midterm exam. Several homework assignments. Final exam or project.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Laboratory (computer) Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS HIST

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-10-1997

About the Photo:

Causal diagram of a multiequation model with latent variables.

Reference:

Jarausch, Konrad, QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR HISTORIANS: A GUIDE TO RESEARCH, DATA AND STATISTICS, North Carolina: The University of North Carolina Press, 1991

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