ANTHRO 309 : Quantitative Methods in Anthropology

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduces analytical approaches to anthropological data, emphasising application of statistical principles to research design. Strongly recommended for all students of anthropology considering postgraduate study. Concepts and topics include: variable scales, operational definitions, sampling, choosing appropriate statistical tests, error, measures of central tendency and dispersion, accuracy, bias and validity. This course assumes only a limited mathematical background.

Course Overview

This course is designed as an introduction to quantitative methods used in anthropology. It assumes no statistical or computer background and requires only basic mathematics. The emphasis will be on quantitative analysis as an anthropological research tool, not on probability or statistical theory, although these will be discussed. Students will be taught the use of the SPSS computer package. Computer Labs will be conducted in the Arts Faculty Computer Labs. These will consist of seven labs. Students will have full access to the computing facilities in the Arts Labs. The syllabus and the links it contains to labs and readings will be available through CANVAS.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ANTHRO 200 or 201 or 203 or 120 points passed Restriction: SOCSCRES 300

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Teach the student to read and understand statistical applications in anthropology (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1 and 4.2)
  2. Teach the student to design and conduct basic quantitative analysis (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 4.1 and 4.2)
  3. Introduce the student to the range of quantitative techniques useful in anthropological research (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 4.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Laboratories 20% Individual Coursework
Laboratories 20% Individual Coursework
Test 25% Individual Coursework
Research 15% Individual Coursework
Project 20% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 03/12/2019 01:46 p.m.