Social Networks

Social network analysis is one of the fastest growing and most innovative areas of study in the social sciences
today. In the last twenty years, this field has greatly expanded both in terms of substantive focus and
methodological developments. Social networks analysis focuses on the relationships between actors in the
network, where actors can be individuals, organisations, countries etc. Social network analysis suggests that
iindividual actor's behavior is influenced by the the type of ties with other actors in the network. Actors
and their actions are viewed as interdependent rather than independent units. The social network approach has
been used in the study of a wide variety of topics, including friendship formation, innovation and new ideas,
networks of migrant workers, the search for job opportunities, the spread of contagious diseases, the use of
power and influence in a group, how companies form stragtegic alliances and many other areas. The main focus
of this course is to introduce the student to a range of key substantive topics and readings in social network
analysis.