851-0585-08L  Foundations and Challenges in the Social Sciences

SemesterSpring Semester 2009
LecturersH. Rauhut, D. Helbing, S. Lozano
Periodicitynon-recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
851-0585-08 VFoundations and Challenges in the Social Sciences2 hrs
Mon15:15-17:00ML F 38 »
H. Rauhut, D. Helbing, S. Lozano

Catalogue data

AbstractThis course introduces sociological thinking and research. It covers social theory, methodology, empirical and analytical research methods and selected examples of sociological research. The aim is to learn fundamental problems in the social sciences and how they are addressed.
ObjectiveThe students of this course should learn to understand selected fundamental problems in the social sciences and how these problems are addressed with laboratory experiments, field experiments, surveys, analytical models and simulation approaches. Students are expected to address one selected research problem by identifying the key literature and developing a research plan. This research plan is presented in a talk and submitted as a written report.
ContentThe social sciences aim at describing and explaining social phenomena. The aggregation of micromotives to macrobehavior plays a crucial role in understanding the complexities of social systems. The course presents core problems and phenomena in the social sciences, such as decision making, group dynamics, social norms, signaling theory, migration, social networks, crowd behavior, crime and conflict and teaches how these problems are addressed with appropriate methodologies.
LiteratureColeman, J. S. (1990), Foundations of social theory, The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge; London.

Schelling, T. C. (1978), Micromotives and macrobehavior, Norton, New York.

Further references will be given in the lecture.

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersD. Helbing, S. Lozano, H. Rauhut
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionRepetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Admission requirementActive participation in the course.
Additional information on mode of examinationStudents can (a) either address one selected research problem by
identifying the key literature and developing a short research plan
or (b) conduct an empirical or computer-based project. The empirical
project would involve data collection, the computer-based project the
generation of simulation code to study the behavior of certain
mathematical models. For both alternatives, students are expected to
give a talk and submit a written report.

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

There are no additional restrictions for the registration.

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Doctoral and Post-Doctoral StudiesDepartment of Humanities, Social and Political SciencesInformation
Humanities, Social and Political SciencesSociologyZInformation
Compulsory Electives GESSSociologyWInformation