Analytical sociology is a distinctive approach for explaining how the social world works. Building on the idea of mechanism-based theorizing, it studies how social processes emerge and change through complex interactions between individuals’ behavior and various properties of the social environments in which they are embedded. In the course it is also shown how big data and agent-based computer simulations can contribute to the explanation of how societies, organizations, and markets work. The course also provides a systematic introduction to the philosophy of science behind mechanism-based social sciences, and the key challenges involved in trying to understand complex social processes.
Social interactions and social networks are becoming increasingly important for what jobs we get, the spread of political uprisings, financial volatility, and other social, political, economic, and cultural phenomena. In this course you will learn the basic tools for analyzing such phenomena. After the course, you will better understand the role that networks play in contemporary society, and you will be able to use state-of-the art software to visualize networks and to statistically analyze network data. It is strongly recommended that students who take this course have some familiarity with at least one of the following software packages: R, SAS, Stata, SPSS, SciPy, or MATLAB.
This hands-on course gives students the skills to design, run, and analyze agent-based models. It starts with the basics of Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) and provides an introduction to the object-oriented programing paradigm. The course requires no previous modeling experience and will go through numerous practical examples which will provide students with the necessary skills to implement their own agent-based models and, consequently, gain a new method to investigate social phenomena that may complement other methods. It is recommended that students have some familiarity with statistical software packages.
Through readings, lectures, and extensive laboratory work, students explore conceptualizations, sources, and determinants of residential segregation. The course emphasizes active engagement with the academic literature and active participation in the interactive tutorials that employ real data and simulations to reproduce and reexamine key findings. It is recommended that students have familiarity with at least one of the following statistical software packages: R, SAS, Stata, SPSS, SciPy, or MATLAB.
The application for spring semester 2017 will open in September with application deadline October 15. If you are selected by your home university please ask them to nominate you to international@ffk.liu.se. All nominated students will receive an email as soon as the application form opens.
Application Procedure
When you have been selected by your home university, the application procedure will be as follows:
1. Search for courses in the course list above. Please see under "Course information and timetable" in the left hand menu before you choose your courses. Note that full-time courses at Faculty of Arts and Sciences run during four (4) periods per semester. You can choose only one full-time course for each period.
2, Check the specific requirements for each course that you want to study and make sure that you are eligible for all courses that you select.
3, Fill out the application form on-line which will open in September. The application form includes personal data, academic background, choice of courses and the period of study for your stay at Linköping University.
4, Upload the required documents:
- Transcript of records of all university education
- Proof of English*
- List of ongoing courses
- Degree certificate if applicable
All documents need to be scanned into one pdf file.
5. If you want to apply for accommodation through Linköping University make sure to cross that box on the application form. Please note that you also need to apply and sign up with other landlords and check the notice boards. Linköping University cannot guarantee accommodation.
6. Submit the form. A print-out version of your application will open for your reference.
7. Deadline for Spring semester 17 is 15 October 2016, 23.59 o´clock (UTC+2h).
8. Information and admission documents will be send during November 2016.
Linköping University is a state university in Linköping, Sweden. Linköping University was granted full university status in 1975 and is now one of Sweden's larger academic institutions.
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