SOCIOL 111 (Social Networks)
THIS IS A LIVE DOCUMENT. CHECK REGULARLY FOR CHANGES
Instructor Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Omar Lizardo |
| Position | Professor of Sociology |
| olizardo@soc.ucla.edu | |
| Website | https://olizardo.github.io/mysite/ |
| Office | Haines Hall 290 |
| In-Person Office Hours | Thursdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm (Haines 290) |
| Zoom Office Hours | Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:30 – 1:00 pm |
| Virtual Office | https://ucla.zoom.us/my/olizardo |
Course Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Department | Sociology (SOCIOL) |
| Course | SOCIOL 111 – Social Networks |
| Class ID | 347337200 |
| Class Website | Bruin Learn (Canvas) |
| Lecture Days & Time | Tuesdays & Thursdays (TR), 11:00 am – 12:15 pm (Pacific Time) |
| Lecture Location | Royce Hall Room 362 |
| Enrollment Status | Closed: Class Full (120) | Waitlist Full (30) |
| Office | Haines Hall 290 |
| In-Person Office Hours | Thursdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm |
| Zoom Office Hours | Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:30 – 1:00 pm |
Course Description
These days, “social networks” are everywhere. Yet, before networking and social media became buzzwords (e.g., before you were born), they were (and continue to be) a field of rigorous study in the social sciences known as social network analysis (SNA). In fact, networks became central in sociology during the 1960s and 1970s because they were used to take such fuzzy concepts as “social relationships,” “social ties,” “groups,” “roles,” and “social structures” from being evocative abstractions that explained everything (and therefore nothing) to concrete topics of empirical research and social-scientific measurement.
In this course, we will explore this more concrete and “scientific” part of social networks. We will see that the field of study of social networks is distinctive for not only having its own set of theories and concepts (and associated “lingo”) but also for the way in which these concepts are immediately made tangible in mathematical (usually quantitative) form using the tools of graph theory and matrix algebra. In Social Network Analysis (SNA), there is no clear separation between theory and analysis. Another distinctive feature of SNA compared to other areas of sociology is that it is not thematically restricted. Instead, SNA comprises a general set of analytical tools for studying social processes across all fields of sociology. This course will thus reflect that thematic diversity.
Thematic Sequence
The course is designed to introduce you to the entire panoply of concepts and theories that form the core of the field of SNA, as well as the relevant measurement and mathematical representation tools. This field has a long history, but today it is a massive project that recruits people from across the social sciences. Because the primary tools of SNA are Graph Theory and Matrix Algebra, throughout the quarter we will jump back and forth between conceptual discussion and mathematical representation, so we will intersperse the more “math-heavy” parts of the class—concentrating on social network analysis—with the more “concept-heavy” parts, focusing on social network theory. These parts of the class will broaden the scope of the discussion, exploring how various social phenomena, from affective “balance” in social relations to status attainment, hierarchy, negative interactions, the diffusion of innovations (and disease), and “the small world” can be understood from a social network perspective.
Learning Goals and Objectives
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Understand basic network concepts and theories.
- Use basic social-scientific terminology to describe patterns of structure and change observed in networks.
- Master and be able to use measures based on graph theory and matrix algebra to analyze and describe social networks.
- Comprehend how social network concepts, theories, and measures can be applied to shed light on a wide variety of phenomena across different fields of study in the social sciences and beyond.
- Have a good grasp of the main theories in the field of social networks and the phenomena they attempt to explain.
Organization of the Class
This is how each week of the class is organized:
Meeting Times: The official lecture meeting times for this class are Tuesdays and Thursdays (11:00 am – 12:15 pm in Royce Hall 362). In addition, you will attend your assigned TA-led section meeting. Note that you are required to attend TA-led section meetings, as this is where your participation grades will come from.
Lectures: The lecture component for the class is scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm (Royce Hall 362). The current (rolling) schedule of topics is available on the Bruin Learn website under each class module (one per week). Attendance at the lecture is not required, but it is strongly encouraged. In fact, the best predictor of doing well in the class is regular attendance at the lecture, so if one of your questions is “how can I get a good grade in this class?” my answer is “by attending the lecture and taking good notes,” since asking questions and taking notes during live delivery of the material aids learning and retention.
Lecture Slides: All the slides the lectures will be based on can be found on the associated lesson page on Bruin Learn. Note that these are live slides (their contents are bound to change). However, you will see those changes when they occur.
Preparation: To prepare for each class, you should read all the material in advance, including slides and textbook readings, take notes, and prepare questions about anything that remains unclear.
Course Textbook & Readings: There are no textbooks required for this course. All required readings come from the free online textbook:
Links to each specific reading and chapter are available on the Bruin Learn lesson pages and in the weekly modules.
Course Requirements
Homework Exercises (60% of the final grade / 135 points): Starting in Week 2, there will be 9 weekly homework assignments (15 points each) designed to help you understand and apply the theories, concepts, and techniques that we will be learning in class. Homework assignments are due on Mondays by 11:59 pm PT via Bruin Learn. Instructions and submission links for each homework are available on Bruin Learn.
Biweekly Quizzes (30% of the final grade / 90 points): This class has no final or midterm exams. Instead, you will take five (5) quizzes every two weeks covering the lecture material from the previous two weeks. These are timed quizzes (20 minutes) consisting of 18 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate your understanding and capacity to apply the theories, concepts, and definitions that we will be learning throughout the quarter. Quizzes open on Friday mornings at 8:00 am and are due by 11:59 pm PT on Sunday via Bruin Learn. If you have extra time allotments from CAE, I will apply those automatically, so you don’t have to email or ask me about them.
Section Engagement (10% of the final grade / 30 points): Because this is a large lecture class, attendance and participation at TA-led discussion sections will be your primary form of graded participation. In discussion sections, you will: do activities and some writing (both in and out of class), discuss readings and homework, delve deeper, and work together to understand the material. This requires attendance, participation, and preparation. Your section TAs will assess your performance to generate this score. You get one discussion section absence as a freebie. After that, each absence will result in a decrease in your grade for section engagement at the end of the quarter (e.g., on your second absence, an A- becomes a B+, on the third, it becomes a B). The section meetings are planned to be in person only.
Expectations and Policies
Participation
You are expected to participate in section meetings. If you are unsure of how best to participate, talk to the instructor or your TA.
Homework Assignments
- Do the homework: Homework builds your network muscles! Work in groups (up to 5 people) if you wish, but each student must submit their own solution in their own words.
- Due Days & Times: All homework assignments are due on Mondays by 11:59 pm PT.
- Do Not Copy Solutions: Copied solutions will be reported to the Dean of Students for Academic Misconduct.
- Late Policy: Late homework loses 3 points out of 15 (20%) for each day late. In accordance with the 5-day late policy, homework will not be accepted more than 5 days after the due date (locking on Saturdays at 11:59 pm PT).
Quizzes
Quizzes will usually consist of eighteen (18) multiple-choice questions. Quizzes will be open-book, timed tests administered via Bruin Learn (not in person) and lasting 20 minutes. Quizzes are administered on scheduled biweekly dates, opening on Friday at 8:00 am PT and due on Sunday nights by 11:59 pm PT, as listed on Bruin Learn. An exception will only be made in the case of a documented illness or family emergency.
Master Assignment & Quiz Deadlines Schedule
| Assessment | Material Covered | Opens / Available | Due Date (11:59 pm PT) | Late Window Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homework 1 | Graph Theory (Lessons 1–3) | Mon., Sep. 28 (5:00 pm) | Monday, Oct. 5 | Sat., Oct. 10 |
| Quiz 1 | Weeks 0 & 1 (Lessons 1–3) | Fri., Oct. 9 (8:00 am) | Sunday, Oct. 11 | Sun., Oct. 11 |
| Homework 2 | Directed Graphs (Lessons 2–4) | Mon., Oct. 5 (5:00 pm) | Monday, Oct. 12 | Sat., Oct. 17 |
| Homework 3 | Indirect Connections and Matrices (Lessons 4–5) | Mon., Oct. 12 (5:00 pm) | Monday, Oct. 19 | Sat., Oct. 24 |
| Quiz 2 | Weeks 2 & 3 (Lessons 4–7) | Fri., Oct. 23 (8:00 am) | Sunday, Oct. 25 | Sun., Oct. 25 |
| Homework 4 | Matrix Operations (Lesson 7) | Mon., Oct. 19 (5:00 pm) | Monday, Oct. 26 | Sat., Oct. 31 |
| Homework 5 | Affiliation Networks (Lesson 8) | Mon., Oct. 26 (5:00 pm) | Monday, Nov. 2 | Sat., Nov. 7 |
| Quiz 3 | Weeks 4 & 5 (Lessons 8–11) | Fri., Nov. 6 (8:00 am) | Sunday, Nov. 8 | Sun., Nov. 8 |
| Homework 6 | Centrality (Lesson 9) | Mon., Nov. 2 (5:00 pm) | Monday, Nov. 9 | Sat., Nov. 14 |
| Quiz 4 | Weeks 6 & 7 (Lessons 12–16) | Fri., Nov. 13 (8:00 am) | Sunday, Nov. 15 | Sun., Nov. 15 |
| Homework 7 | Ego-Network Metrics (Lessons 12–13) | Mon., Nov. 9 (5:00 pm) | Monday, Nov. 16 | Sat., Nov. 21 |
| Homework 8 | Balance and Signed Graphs (Lesson 14) | Thu., Nov. 19 (5:00 pm) | Monday, Nov. 30 | Sat., Dec. 5 |
| Quiz 5 | Weeks 8 & 10 (Lessons 17–18) | Fri., Dec. 4 (8:00 am) | Sunday, Dec. 6 | Sun., Dec. 6 |
| Homework 9 | Subgroups and Structural Similarity (Lessons 16–17) | Tue., Dec. 1 (5:00 pm) | Monday, Dec. 7 (Finals Week) | Sat., Dec. 12 |
Final Grading Scheme
Assignment Point Distribution
| Assignment | Points | % of Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Homework (9 @ 15 pts each) | 135 pts total | 60% |
| Quizzes (5 @ 18 pts each) | 90 pts total | 30% |
| Section Engagement | 30 pts total | 10% |
| Total | 255 pts | 100% |
Letter Grade Determination
| Letter Grade | Point % | Point Total |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | >= 97% | 247+ |
| A | 93 – 96% | 237 – 246 |
| A- | 90 – 92% | 230 – 236 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 222 – 229 |
| B | 83 – 86% | 212 – 221 |
| B- | 80 – 82% | 204 – 211 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 197 – 203 |
| C | 73 – 76% | 186 – 196 |
| C- | 70 – 72% | 179 – 185 |
| D | 60 – 69% | 154 – 178 |
| F | < 60% | <= 153 |
Communicating with Us
Rules of Engagement
- I try to be very available to my students. However, like you, I have a life beyond this class. I have a family and friends, other students, and other obligations. The TAs do too!
- Before emailing us with a question, please check the syllabus and/or the course website to see if it has already been answered elsewhere. Check the emails I send periodically.
- When you do email, please be patient. We might respond immediately; we might not. Give us a day (or a weekend) to get back to you.
- You don’t need to schedule an appointment for my student hours. My doors are wide open during that time (check with your TA about their particular scheduling policy).
- However, if you want to meet outside student hours, please contact me to schedule an appointment at a time I am available.
- Feel free to meet with any of us, regardless of your section. However, if you want to discuss a grade, you must talk with the person who graded your assignment (your TA, unless otherwise noted).
- This Syllabus has answers to the most common questions about the course. Please check the syllabus first, before asking us about due dates, assignment requirements, etc.
- Bruinlearn will be used for most communication in this course. You can find a link to the syllabus, the reading schedule, and all assignments there. I will also post lecture slides before each class. We strongly encourage you to visit the Bruinlearn site regularly as part of your preparation for this course.
- E-mail should be used for quick communications (things that can be responded to in no more than a few sentences); use office hours for anything requiring more in-depth discussion. Please consider email as subject to the same standards of communication as you would all other forms of written material in this course (i.e., you should use complete sentences, proper punctuation, etc.). We will typically respond to email within two work days.
- If you have a small question or a clarification, please email your TA first. If the TA does not have the answer, then email me.
- We will not, under any circumstances, discuss grades over email. Use an office hour appointment to discuss grade issues with me.
- Office Hours are available to add to your experience in this course. Please make use of them. Each of us has specific office hours each week. If you cannot make it during the times noted earlier, please email with at least two dates and times to arrange a meeting, either in person or over Zoom.
Academic Code of Conduct
Any suspected instance of cheating or plagiarism will be addressed in accordance with UCLA’s Honor Code policies. As an undergraduate at UCLA, you are bound by the University’s academic code of conduct found here.
We expect everyone to be familiar with it by now, because not knowing the rules is not an excuse; you can violate the rules without realizing it. So, (re)familiarize yourself with it. Most relevant to the class is the section of the code of conduct addressing “Academic Dishonesty.” This term covers a wide range of behaviors and practices, some of which you may think are not such a big deal at all. Note, however, that academic dishonesty encompasses much more than that and includes, but is not limited to, “cheating, fabrication or falsification, plagiarism, multiple submissions or facilitating academic misconduct which occurs in academic exercises or submissions.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- I don’t like the time my discussion section meets. Can I join another one?
No. You are assigned to the discussion section by the registrar and section sizes must remain balanced. You may only switch if you arrange a direct swap with another student and notify both TAs.
- Is there a discussion in the first week?
No. There are no discussion section meetings during Week 0 or 1. Discussion sections begin in Week 2.
- Do we need to do the readings before or after the lecture?
Yes. Lectures make far more sense if you read before lecture and review afterward.
- There are a bunch of formulas! Do I have to memorize each and every one?
No. Only a few basic formulas (clearly indicated in lecture) will be consulted for quiz questions.
- There are many concepts and terms. Do I need to know every definition?
No. The lecture slides are your guide to what is tested. If a term is in both the lecture and textbook, it will likely be on a quiz.
- When should I turn in my homework?
Check BruinLearn for the due dates of each homework assignment.
- I fell behind, and now I want some extra credit. Can I please get some?
No. The course is structured so that keeping up with regular assignments ensures you do well.
- I am on the waiting list. Can you let me in?
No. Section sizes cannot exceed room/enrollment capacity. You must wait for an open spot via the registrar.