Social Network Analysis: The Networks Connecting People (FutureLearn)

This brand-new course from computational social science experts at University College Groningen and the University of Warsaw explores how networks form, and how they impact the spreading of different types of information in society.

Discover social network analysis tools, structures, and modelling

On this course, you’ll get to grips with the basics of social network theory, before considering how different social exchanges impact network structures and dynamics of opinion and product choice.

You’ll learn how the way we communicate, and even share viruses, is shaped by social network structures that existed in our tribal history, and have expanded in modern society.

Identify patterns of social interaction and explore social influence theory

You’ll learn how social influences play out in larger networks, as you explore what impact small scale tribal mechanisms, like local norms, have on global network dynamics.

Study social network theory with computational social science (CSS) experts

This course has been designed as a collaboration between University College Groningen, the University of Warsaw, and Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society.

Warsaw and Groningen are experts in CSS, and this course offers students the chance to learn from four leading social science scholars.

What topics will you cover?

- Network structures

- Social dynamics

- Types of exchanges

- Social influence

- Local norms versus global network dynamics

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Compare how different network structures affect social dynamics

- Identify how key properties of social networks connect with the spreading of different influences such as viruses, norms and properties of products

- Experiment with different social influences and network structures and how they impact diffusion dynamics

- Assess situations where “small scale tribal mechanisms” such as local norms have an impact on global network dynamics

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in developing their understanding of the basic concepts of social network theory and how information, viruses, and norms spread through society.

It will be particularly useful for professionals dealing with situations where social influences and processes of diffusion play a role, such as in the context of public policy, business, marketing, and healthcare.

If you already study social science and would like to develop your skills in maths, computers, and formal modelling, this course will help.