COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR

JOURN 664

Examines key concepts in social network theory and develops and applies them to the field of communication. Attention is paid to the differences between social and online networks, as well as their relationships. Explores major concepts and questions in social network theory and analysis, including the elements that make up a network; network relationships (e.g. homophily, knowing others like ourselves); the construction of whole social networks out of dyads (two people) and triads (three); strong and weak ties; roles and positions; groups, cliques, and clusters; as well as small worlds and communities. Emphasis will be on what these concepts mean and how they work. There will be minimal introduction to technical network analysis and hands- on work.

SOC 444

The systematic study of the individual in a social context, including social interaction, motivation, attitudes, conformity, communication, leadership, personal relationships, and behavior in small groups.

SOC 476

Norm and norm emergence, Preference formation, Ideology, Bounded Rationality, Rational Choice, Prospect Theory, Framing processes, Models of Collective Behaviors, Symbolic Interactionism, Communicative Action, Game Theory, Processes of Social Influence.

SOC 535

Focus on the systematic observation and analysis of face-to-face interaction. Sociological approaches to naturally occurring interaction--i.e., human talk and behavior that has been observed, audiorecorded, or videorecorded--will be explored. The approaches include ethnomethodology, conversational analysis, and Goffmanian sociology.

SOC 376

Explores mathematical models of social process employing dynamical systems, Markov chains, and simulation analysis. Examples will address a wide range of sociological topics including cultural evolution, demography, social influence, social-network formation, religion, residential segregation, and social movements.