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Professors H. S. Alverson (Anthropology), J. L. Campbell (Sociology), T.
H. Cormen (Computer Science), E. Demidenko (Medical School), B. Duncan
(German), A. J. Friedland (Environmental Studies), J. H. Levine (Mathematics
and Social Sciences), D. N. Rockmore (Mathematics, Computer Science), C, M.
Snyder (Economics); Associate Professors K. A. Korey (Anthropology), L.
Polansky (Music); Senior Lecturers J. F. Pfister (Psychological and Brain
Sciences), R. L. Welsch (Anthropology); Professors Emeriti R. D. Masters
(Government), R. Z. Norman (Mathematics and Social Sciences), D. G. Sullivan
(Government).
Mathematics and Social Sciences (MSS) is an undergraduate honors major (see
pages XXX) combining mathematical training with one or more of the social
sciences. From the social sciences, MSS is for students interested in
Anthropology, Economics, Education, Geography, History, Political Science, or
Sociology, as a quantitative science. From mathematics, MSS is for students
interested in statistics, data analysis, mathematics, or computer sciences
directed toward application in social science.
THE MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Prerequisite: Honors standing (see pages XXX) and Mathematics 13
(or, with permission, Mathematics 3 and 6 or equivalent), plus introductory
work in several social sciences; or permission.
Minimum Requirements: 1) Four (non-introductory) courses in
Mathematics or Computer Science, including Mathematics 36; 2) Four
(non-introductory) courses in one social science area. The four courses should
form a coherent whole, although they need not fall within the same social
science department; 3) Two additional courses, including one or more of the
courses offered by the Program, to be approved by the Program committee; 4)
Completion of a senior thesis, which may be done under the course Topics in
Mathematics and Social Sciences, Mathematics and Social Sciences 88.
Where needed topics are not available in the existing curriculum, students
may petition for special study under Mathematics and Social Sciences 88.
Mathematics and Social Sciences 88 may be taken for credit more than once.
For further details, consult the Program Chair.
COURSES
7. First-Year Seminar in Mathematics and Social Sciences
Consult special listings
15. Introduction to Data Analysis
06F, 07S, 07F, 08S: 9L
Methods for transforming raw facts into useful information. Directed toward
students with an aptitude for mathematics. Emphasis is placed on the
understanding, use, and both oral and written interpretation of exploratory
data analysis within the rules of scientific method. With permission from the
responsible department, MSS 15 may be used to satisfy some pre-medical, natural
science, and social science departmental requirements in mathematics,
statistics, and methodology. Limited enrollment.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 3 or higher, or permission. Dist: QDS.
Levine.
36. Mathematical Models in the Social Sciences (Identical to
Mathematics 36)
07W: 10A 07F: Arrange
Disciplines such as anthropology, economics, sociology, psychology, and
linguistics all now make extensive use of mathematical models, using the tools
of calculus, probability, game theory, network theory, often mixed with a
healthy dose of computing. This course introduces students to a range of
techniques using current and relevant examples. Students interested in further
study of these and related topics are referred to the courses listed in the
Mathematics and Social Sciences program.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 13, 20. Dist: TAS. Rockmore.
41. Analysis of Social Networks
06F, 07F: Arrange
Students will gather and analyze data on a variety of networks
(institutions, communities, elites, friendship systems, kinship systems, trade
networks, and the like). Techniques of analysis may include graph theory, text
analysis, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis, and a variety of
special models. Not limited to students in the major.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 3 or 6 and some knowledge of statistics, or
permission of the instructor. Dist: QDS.
43. Mathematical Psychology
Not offered in the period from 06F through 08S
A course in mathematical models in psychology with emphasis on psychological
foundations, applications, and testing. Topics will be chosen from information
theory and its applications in memory, learning, language, and identification
under uncertainty; probabilistic learning models; bargaining and its relation
to n-person game theory; decision making under uncertainty; and thresholds and
signal detectability.
Prerequisite: Psychology 1, and Mathematics 3 or 6. Permission required.
44. The Meaning of Mathematical Models: Careers, Stratifications, and
Mobility
Not offered in the period from 06F through 08S
The existence or non-existence of class structure in America, the
opportunities for and the degree of upward mobility, and the relation between
ability and success are central issues for sociology.
Students will be responsible for understanding both social theory and
technical methodology. They will complete a hands-on project, applying the
theories of techniques of their choice (or of their invention) to detailed
available data on the careers of American men and women of various ages, races,
and family backgrounds.
45. Data Analysis
07S, 08S: Arrange
Examination of the assumptions and interpretation of basic quantitative
methods in the social sciences. Methods examined may include linear models,
tabular analysis, and Tukey-Mosteller exploratory data analysis. Applications
will be wide-ranging and customized to student research. Prior knowledge of
elementary data analysis or elementary statistics is assumed.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 13, or permission of the instructor. Dist:
QDS.
46. Models of Voting and Decision Making
07W, 08W: Arrange
Is there a fair method of voting to elect a candidate for political office
or to apportion representation in Congress among the States? We examine the
benefits and problems of traditional plurality voting. Seeking criteria for
fairness leads us to Arrow's axioms for a social welfare function and his
'impossibility' theorem. Alternatives to his assumptions are explored as are
weighted voting schemes and approval voting, evaluating their advantages and
drawbacks. We also explore the concept of fairness in apportionment of
congressional districts. Throughout the course both mathematical and political
concepts are used to analyze consequences, benefits, and costs.
Prerequisite: By permission only. Government 6 or other introduction to the
U.S. political system, and Mathematics 3 or 6 recommended. Dist: QDS.
Norman.
80. Seminars in Mathematics and Social Sciences
All terms: Arrange
88. Topics in Mathematics and the Social Sciences
All terms: Arrange
We call attention to the following courses which include some of the more
quantitative and mathematical courses in the curriculum of various social
science disciplines.
Anthropology 41: Hominid Evolution
Economics
Engineering Sciences 51: Principles of System Dynamics
Engineering Sciences 52: Introduction to Operations Research
Government 72: Human Nature and Politics
Philosophy 27: Philosophy of Science
Psychology 21: Perception
Psychology 22: Learning
Psychology 28: Cognition
Psychology 68: Experimental Study of Human Perception and Cognition
Sociology 17: Survey Methods and Analysis
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