EH402 Half Unit
Quantitative Analysis in Economic History I
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Olivier Accominotti SAR 5.14
Availability
This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Economic History, MSc in Economic History, MSc in Economic History (Research), MSc in Global Economic History (Erasmus Mundus) and MSc in Political Economy of Late Development. This course is not available as an outside option.
Course content
This course is concerned with how economic historians have used quantitative methods and with how researchers design and structure a research project. In terms of quantitative methods the emphasis is on the applied and practical rather than the theoretical and will range from the use of simple summary descriptive statistics to multiple regression. The course is concerned with the problems of analysing and interpreting quantitative historical evidence. It will consider topics such as sampling and statistical distributions, correlation, simple and multiple regression, specification problems, hypothesis testing, panel data analysis and instrumental variables, although the content may vary slightly from year to year. The course will also provide students with training in using an econometrics software package. An important component of the course is the deconstruction of historical articles that have used quantitative techniques.
Teaching
9 hours of seminars and 20 hours of computer workshops in the MT.
This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours across Michaelmas Term. This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of virtual classes and lectures in the form of recorded live webinars. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Michaelmas Term.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT.
Indicative reading
- C H Feinstein and M Thomas, Making History Count (2002);
- P Hudson, History by Numbers (2002);
- C H Lee, The Quantitative Approach to Economic History (1977);
- G Hawthorn, Plausible Words (1991).
Assessment
Essay (80%, 3000 words) and in-class assessment (20%).
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Economic History
Total students 2019/20: 32
Average class size 2019/20: 16
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills
