The course focuses on ‘Theory’ and ‘Empirical research’, in the ‘Problems-Theory-Empirical research-Policy implications’-sequence that characterizes the various steps in analytical social science.

In the last decades, studies in social networks have grown to an almost independent and major tradition of research in sociology, economics, psychology and anthropology. Meanwhile, one can say that a person, who has no knowledge about social networks, does not know Social Sciences at all because the focus of social sciences is now much more on relations and embeddedness than before.

This course provides an overview of the main developments within this field of research. Important theories and theoretical aspects, which explain the emergence and the consequences of social networks, will be discussed. This includes, for example the notion of the ‘strength of weak ties’, the focus theory, as well as different perspectives on centrality and how we are all connected. Finally, we read and discuss a number of research problems and topics on which social network studies focused. Examples of these topics are: social networks in organizations, online social networks, social networks and health, and negative social networks. The research questions underlying these topics will be reconstructed and answers provided by empirical research will be discussed. In addition, attention is paid to the different kinds of methods that can be used to collect network data as well as the analysis of such data. 

 

During the course, students choose a topic of their interest on which they write a paper in groups of two students). The papers consist of a review of the literature as well as an empirical study carried out by the students on the basis of this literature. During the project meetings and seminars, more information will be provided regarding the requirements related to these papers. 

 

Finally, a midterm and an end-term exam will be undertaken focusing on the understanding of the lectures and literature. 

Issues/Theory: 

• The most important theoretical traditions in sociology and content of important theories; knowledge of influential empirical findings and understanding of their relevance.
• Derive hypotheses from existing sociological theories which offer an answer to the questions formulated or devise new theories which can provide an answer.
• Make judgements about the urgency of a social issue; determine whether a sociological issue is well formulated (for instance in relation to the social issue).
• Determine how strong a suggested solution/theory is in the light of logical consistency and/or empirical findings.

 
Research:

• Overview of the main research designs and data-collection methods.
• Test theories in an appropriate research scheme and select and apply suitable techniques for analysis and draw conclusions from this.
• Make judgements about the strength of the empirical research carried out.

 
Policy:

• Assess the feasibility of proposed solutions and evaluate existing policy in relation to the often conflicting visions of stakeholders.
• Assess the efficacy of proposed or implemented policy.

 
Academic skills:

• Possess general professional and academic proficiency in both Dutch and English.
• Reading texts: understanding and interpretation; differentiate between main and side issues.
• Ability to report in writing at the level of a starting academic professional in such a way that a general audience can understand the importance of what is written.
• Ability to present orally as well as debate, clearly formulate ideas and produce satisfactory reports.
• Ability to work and plan work independently.
• Ability to participate actively in group discussions, provide constructive criticism and cooperate in small groups.
• Ability to look up and select relevant information in the library and on the internet, and to utilise ICT facilities.

 
Ethics:

• Ability to reflect on ethical aspects of sociological research and how to deal with them.