MSc Social Network Analysis

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Theories of social relations, networks, and social structure

Course unit fact file
Unit code SOCY60631
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course explores the following weekly topics.

1.            Homophily:  Blau, McPherson

2.            Dyads and Triads: Simmel, triad census

3.            Hierarchy and popularity (Matthew effect, Power Law): Merton, Social physics

4.            Social capital 1 - Cohesion: Coleman

5.            Social capital 2 - Structural holes: Burt

6.            Reciprocity, ambivalence, exchange, multiplexity

7.            Affiliation, 2 mode: Breiger, Small

8.            Meaning and context: White and the New York school

9.            Roles and Positions

10.          Small worlds and diffusion

Aims

The unit aims to provide students with a solid grounding in theoretical debates and issues, both within sociology and the social network analysis literature, which will improve their understanding of and competence at social network analysis. In addition, the course discusses why and how, in some cases, it is necessary to combine the techniques of formal social network analysis with other research methods drawn from the social sciences more widely.

Teaching and learning methods

Each week contains one hour lecture followed by one hour seminar

Knowledge and understanding

Critically engage with the theoretical foundations of SNA and use them to formulate robust and coherent SNA empirical questions.

Assess the feasibility and applicability of a wide range of analytical techniques to social network data

Critically understand and evaluate SNA research, and reflect upon methodology in a theoretically informed way.

Understand research questions in multidisciplinary contexts, and efficiently operationalise them.

Intellectual skills

Reflect upon and evaluate theoretical ideas.

Conduct robust mixed methods social network studies.

Write social network analysis scientific articles and reports.

Practical skills

Master verbal and written presentation of arguments, and summarise and evaluate complex ideas.

Design and develop tailored research projects and interventions to a variety of real-world problems.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Develop new or enhanced skills to identify and use diverse social network data, and use such data to inform cutting edge research projects and interventions in a variety of contexts.

Understand and mediate multidisciplinary environments and liaise across different intellectual and practical contexts

Work collaboratively, both face-to-face and through the use of various online tools and spaces.

Assessment methods

3000 word essay (100%)

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Elisa Bellotti Unit coordinator

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