Theories of social relations, networks, and social structure

SOCY60631 Theories of social relations, networks, and social structure 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Elisa Bellotti Unit coordinator Sociology 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 The unit aims to provide students with a solid grounding in theoretical debates and issues, both within sociology and in social sciences more broadly. It will discuss core theories and literature on social network analysis, which will improve their understanding of and competence at social network analysis. In addition, the course will cover applications that focused on sociological questions such as inequality, social capital and community, as well as on topics related to culture, organisations, group processes, crime and covert networks, migration, health and well-being, gender, politics, social movements, etc.We will also discuss 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 broadly. The unit will combine lectures on general principles and theories on social networks (such as the principle of reciprocity, the strength of weak ties, homophily, balance, structural holes, roles, personal networks, etc.) with applications in different fields in the social sciences.     This course explores the following weekly topics (preliminary).Lecture 1. What is social network theory?Lecture 2. Social capital and social networksLecture 3. General social theories and processes (the norm of reciprocity, homopily, and balance theory) in school classes, organisations and communitiesLecture 4. Personal networks, inequalities, gender and personalityLecture 5. The strength of weak ties, six degrees of separation, small worlds, flow processes and social contagion processesLecture 6. Formal and informal organisations: Hierarchy, core/periphery and roles  Lecture 7. Structural holes and creativityLecture 8. Group level network structures and small groupsLecture 9. Crime and covert networks  Lecture 10. Cultural networks, politics and social movements  The unit aims to provide students with a solid grounding in theoretical debates and issues, both within sociology and in social sciences more broadly. It will discuss core theories and literature on social network analysis, which will improve their understanding of and competence at social network analysis. In addition, the course will cover applications that focused on sociological questions such as inequality, social capital and community, as well as on topics related to culture, organisations, group processes, crime and covert networks, migration, health and well-being, gender, politics, social movements, etc.We will also discuss 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 broadly. Knowledge and understanding  <ul><li>Critically engage with the theoretical foundations of SNA and use them to formulate robust and coherent SNA empirical questions.</li><li>Assess the feasibility and applicability of a wide range of analytical techniques to social network data.</li><li>Critically understand and evaluate SNA research, and reflect upon methodology in a theoretically informed way.</li><li>Understand research questions in multidisciplinary contexts, and efficiently operationalise them.  </li></ul> Intellectual skills  <ul><li>Reflect upon and evaluate theoretical ideas.</li><li>Understand and mediate multidisciplinary environments and liaise across different intellectual and practical contexts.  </li></ul> Practical skills  <ul><li>Master verbal and written presentation of arguments, and summarise and evaluate complex ideas.</li><li>Design and develop tailored research projects and interventions to a variety of real-world problems.  </li></ul> Transferable skills and personal qualities  <ul><li>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.</li><li>Work collaboratively, both face-to-face and through the use of various online tools and spaces.  </li></ul> 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.  Reflect upon and evaluate theoretical ideas. Understand and mediate multidisciplinary environments and liaise across different intellectual and practical contexts.  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.  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. Work collaboratively, both face-to-face and through the use of various online tools and spaces.  Each week contains a combination of lectures and seminars.   0 Other 100% 3000 word essay (100%) 0 0 0