Social Networks

2018/2019

Учебный год

ENG

Обучение ведется на английском языке

2

Кредиты

Кто читает:

Департамент социологии

Статус:

Курс по выбору

Когда читается:

1-й курс, 3 модуль

Преподаватель

Иванюшина Валерия Александровна

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course will explore main conceptual, theoretical and methodological approaches related to Social Network Analysis (SNA). Part of the course will be practical training in SNA research methods and techniques

Learning Objectives

• Explore main conceptual, theoretical and methodological approaches related to Social Network Analysis (SNA)
• Get the practical training in SNA research methods and techniques

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Understand basic concepts of social network analysis
• Understand how networks can contribute to the explanation of specific social, political, economic and cultural phenomena
• Master basic skills of working with SNA software Gephi, Pajek, R packages
• Acquaint with biblographic network analysis software VosViewer, CitNetExplorer

Course Contents

• Chapter 1. Network terminology and metrics. Describing, visualising and analysing networks. Software: Pajek, Gephi, R.
  1) Network terminology and basic concepts Definition of a network. Nodes (vertices) and links (arcs, edges). Directed and undirected relations. Representation of social relations as graphs. How to record network data: adjacency matrix, edge list, node list. 2) Network structure: centrality Egonetworks, k-neighbors. Centrality measures: in/out degree centrality; betweenness; closeness; eigenvector, Katz & PageRank. Centrality vs. centralization. Degree distribution and centralization measures. 3) Social capital What is social capital? Definitions of P.Bourdieu, J.S.Coleman, R.D.Putnam, A.Portes. Bonding and bridging; social capital formation; social capital and economic development. World Bank's programs with emphasis on social capital. Operationalization and measures of social capital. 4) Network structure: components and communities. Weak, strong, and giant components. Diffusion of information in networks. Real life examples. Network modularity. Community detection algorithms: local and global definitions, vertex dissimilarity. Clustering: hierarchical, partitional, spectral. Communities in real-life networks
• Chapter 2. Network in bibliometrics: using SNA for bibliographic search and analysis. Software: VosViewer and CitNetExplorer.
  5) Networks in bibliometrics. Two-mode (bimodal) networks. Affiliation matrix. Weighted networks. Bibliometric networks: co-citation, bib-coupling, co-authorship. Journal networks. Timeline in bibliometric analysis
• Chapter 3. Network theory and applications. Network models. Software: Pajek, Gephi, R.
  6) Network models: Random graphs (Erdos-Renuy), Small world, Preferential attachment (Power law). Network characteristics: shortest path, clusterization coefficient (local and global). Resistance to attacks. 7) Diffusion of information in networks. Opinion formation. Social movements. Recruiting through networks. 8) Essay presentations and Test

Assessment Elements

• Test
  Written Assignments
• Essay with Presentation
• In-class Participation

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (3 module)
  0.35 * Essay with Presentation + 0.35 * In-class Participation + 0.3 * Test

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Fu, X., Luo, J.-D., & Boos, M. (2017). Social Network Analysis : Interdisciplinary Approaches and Case Studies. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1499393
• Kadry, S., & Al-Taie, M. Z. (2014). Social Network Analysis : An Introduction with an Extensive Implementation to a Large-scale Online Network Using Pajek. Oak Park, IL: Bentham Science Publishers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=694016

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Kelsey, T. (2010). Social Networking Spaces : From Facebook to Twitter and Everything In Between. [New York]: Apress. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=325721