Practical: Social Networks

Full course description

In this skills training students will reconsider a number of topics discussed in the course ‘Social Behaviour’ within the specific context of online social network sites (e.g., Facebook). This, however, requires that students possess basic knowledge of networking principles as well as the ability to apply these principles. For this purpose, students will work on a number of computer assignments. These assignments consist of measuring, visualising, and analysing social networks by using network analysis methods. For example, students reproduce the classic Stanley Milgram 6 degrees of separation experiment in the information age. In addition, they learn about the influence of certain frequently occurring network principles on both the functioning of groups and the dissemination of information.