Social Networks in Theory and in Empirical Research (2026/2027: Semester 2 – Spring)

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Cursusdoel

After completing the course, students are able to
  1. Identify and describe prominent domains, research questions, theories, methodologies, and empirical findings in the field of social network research.
  2. Compare and critically evaluate the main theories in social network research.
  3. Compare and critically evaluate the main methods used to collect and analyze social network data.
  4. Apply basic statistical methods for analyzing social network data and interpret the results.
  5. Discuss and critically evaluate empirical social network research by considering the (relationship between) research questions, theories, methodology, and findings.
Description of assignment Which learning goals does this assess
  • Mid-term exam
  • Research paper
  • Participation, seminar, and reflection
 1,2,3
2,3,4,5
1-5

Vakinhoudelijk

Social networks are the invisible architecture of social life: they shape who gets jobs, whose ideas spread, who finds support in crisis, and who gets left behind. Studying social networks means learning to read the structure of society – discerning patterns that are invisible to the naked eye but that profoundly shape human experience, such as how misinformation travels through online communities, how social capital is unevenly distributed across race, class, and gender, and how protest movements build momentum through ties of trust and solidarity. For students who want to understand the social world in all its complexity, there is no more powerful lens.

The course draws on an interdisciplinary body of research to introduce students to the key theories and concepts that have defined the field, including small worlds, social capital, the strength of weak ties, exchange networks, complex contagions and structural holes. Students will learn how networks emerge, change or dissolve, and how they constrain and enable individual action across various domains in life. Students will also learn to read and critically assess scientific literature, reconstruct the research questions behind influential studies, and evaluate the empirical evidence offered in response. Substantive topics include polarization, misinformation, inequality, online social networks, criminal networks, negative social ties, health, social mobility, and environmental action and adaptation. This gives students a broad sense of where network thinking has been applied and why it matters.

Format

Some notable teaching formats include student-led seminars, movie reflections, and practical data lab sessions.

Werkvormen

UCU course

Toetsing

Participation, seminar, and reflection

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 1,5

*midterm FEEDBACK*

Niet verplicht

Mid-term exam

Verplicht | Weging 40% | ECTS 3

Research paper

Verplicht | Weging 40% | ECTS 3

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Er moet voldaan zijn aan minimaal één van de cursussen:

Voorkennis

Er is geen informatie over benodigde voorkennis bekend.

Voertalen

  • Engels

Competenties

  • Academisch schrijven
  • Interdisciplinariteit
  • Onderzoeksvaardigheden
  • Presenteren
  • Samenwerken

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

  • READER
    All required readings are journal articles and book chapters, made available free of charge via the UU library or Brightspace.
  • SOFTWARE
    Students need access to a laptop with R installed for the lab sessions. R is free of charge; download instructions will be provided.

Aanbevolen materiaal

  • DIVERSE
    film rental for students who missed the movie viewing

Coördinator

prof. dr. E. Jaspers E.Jaspers@uu.nl

Docenten

prof. dr. E. Jaspers E.Jaspers@uu.nl

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

Naar OSIRIS-inschrijvingen
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