Chaos, Complexity and Order: Formal Models of Social Dynamics

Description
Administrative matters

meetings
pre-requisites
requirements

Sociology 242G is a seminar in theory construction. In the current offering we will be focusing on theoretical work in mathematical and computational sociology. The course has two goals: providing more familarity with certain lines of theory in the social sciences (e.g. rational-choice, collective action, solidarity, exchange, network, and systems), and developing a basic familiarity with the main numerical/computational approaches that are used as tools for developing and experimenting with theories of these types (e.g. agent-based and non-linear systems simulation models).

We will examine two broad approaches. One major line of formal theoretical work has developed from a micro-interactionist approach, and emphasizes the emergence of complex social structures from the local interactions of individual actors. This is a diverse tradition, and includes contemporary work in "agent-based" models and "complexity" theory in the social sciences. The other major line of work has developed from macro approaches, particularly "systems" theory. This tradition includes contemporary work in non-linear dynamics or "chaos" theory.

Practitioners of each tradition use a variety of approaches to developing and elaborating theories. We will examine most closely the application of simulation modeling for these purposes. Even here, there is considerable diversity. Agent-based modeling emphasizes object-oriented languages for the application of simple algorithms to complex arrays. Systems simulation emphasizes modeling in mathematical relations and variables.

Substantively, all of the work in this area is concerned with new approaches to two classical questions in social theory: how is social order possible? and what is the relationship between individuals and society? The goal of the course is to sample work at the cutting edge in formal theory in the social sciences and to discover whether this is old wine in new bottles, or whether there are fundamentally new answers to the classical questions emerging.

Meetings

We will meet each week for one three-hour session. These meetings will be held in Watkins 2149, the sociology/political science computing laboratory. Some sessions will be primarily discussion, others will focus on laboratory work using various computer applications. Details may be found in the schedule.

Prerequisites

Students should have a solid basic understanding of the main theoretical traditions in contemporary social sciences before taking this course. In sociology, the introductory graduate theory courses provide a good preparation; similar courses in anthropology, political science, and economics (and possibly other disciplines) also provide the necessary background. If you are unsure about your preparation, please discuss it with the instructor.

No advanced computer skills are necessary for this course, though a facility in working with personal computers and a familiarity with an object-oriented programming language (e.g. visual basic, C++) may be helpful. No advanced training in mathematics is necessary for this course. Agent based modeling approaches are usually presented as algorthms, and an ability to de-code algebraic and Boolean formalisms can be helpful. Systems simulations are based on simultaneous non-linear differential equations, and their formal mathematical expressions can be quite intimidating. Again, one does not need to be able to solve or write such expressions, but an ability to de-code basic differential equations can be helpful.

Requirements

Students will be expected to read assigned materials, and to prepare reading notes and commentaries on some of them. Students will also be expected to do a number of experiments with various simulations in the laboratory, and to discuss and report on their findings. A term paper involving the development of an original formal model will be the primary end product of the course for each student.