ANTH 396: Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences

ANTH 396-001: Quantitative Methods
(Fall 2018)

03:00 PM to 04:15 PM MW

Innovation Hall 327

Section Information for Fall 2018

This course will provide students with an introduction to the quantitative methods used to test hypotheses in the anthropological sciences. The course begins with an introduction to the presentation of data, distributions of data, probability theory, and methods to measure normal distributions. Hypothesis testing on one sample and two samples using parametric and non-parametric methods follows. Students are then exposed to the analysis of variance, analysis of variance among multiple samples, interaction of factors, and multivariate analysis of variance. The course then explores linear regression, multiple regression, and modeling methods used to fit polynomial curves to non-linear data. Tests for goodness of fit using the g-test and chi-square analysis round out the traditional frequentist approaches. The course concludes with lessons in anthropological demography including the use of odds ratios, hazards and survival analysis. All students will be introduced to SPSS statistical software and be required to complete all procedures using this format. The course emphasizes the application of appropriate quantitative methods to anthropological problems and the accurate, careful comprehension of results.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Topic of contemporary interest in anthropology, focusing on social science topics of interest. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.
Mason Core: Social/Behavioral Sciences
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies, Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.