Sociology 599A.  Special Topics Seminar: Social Networks

3 Credits BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION
Instructor: Dr. D.B. Tindall Term 2 (January – April 2014)
Time: Mondays: 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Location: Buchanan B101

Since its earliest inception, social network analysis has evolved from a relatively simple yet novel method (e.g. through graph theory and related initial measures of structural properties such as centrality and density) to a complex set of methodologies, substantive research areas, and theoretical orientations.  Social network analysis, or alternatively, structural analysis, is the study of how patterns of relations affect the distribution of various “things” throughout a system.  In sociology these “things” tend to be resources such as information, wealth, status, or influence (but in other disciplines include things like diseases in medicine, or electrical pulses in engineering).  Indeed, as an area of inquiry, social networks is broader than being simply a methodology – it is also a “paradigm”, and a set of substantive areas of inquiry.

This course will examine methodological, substantive, and theoretical issues concerning social networks.

A conceptual overview will be provided that covers: 1. Theory, 2. Ego-centric networks, 3. Whole Networks, 4. Relational Approaches, 5. Positional Approaches.

Methodological Issues to be covered will include: 1. Statistics, 2. Measures, 3. Reliability Issues, 4. Sampling, 5. Visualization, 6. Qualitative Analysis.  Some of the methodological approaches and measures covered may include: centrality, density, clustering, structural holes, block modelling, QAP regression/correlation, visualization, ERGMs (exponential random graph models).  A variety of computer programs will be introduced; some of these may include: UCINET, Netdraw, Pajek, Multinet, and SIENA.

Some substantive topics that might be covered include: Social and Cultural Capital, Social Movements and Collective Action, Communities, Diffusion and Social Influence, Discourse Networks, Crime, Deviance, and Dark Networks, Health and Social Support, Communication Networks, Sexual Networks, Economic Networks/Corporate Interlocks, Cognitive Networks, Ecology and Social Networks, Computer-Mediated Social Networks.  (These are just a few possibilities.)

Please Note: Prior to taking the course all SLAIS students will need to submit this form to Dr. Rick Kopak as Graduate Adviser:
Application for Credit for ‘External’ Courses Form – http://www.slais.ubc.ca/resources/students/RequestExternalCourses.pdf.  Dr. Rick Kopak must approve the course before it can be counted towards meeting their degree requirements.

Digital Preservation Management Workshop offered by Nancy McGovern in Victoria, Oct 22-24 – Registration opens August 19

We are pleased to announce that a three-day Digital Preservation Management Workshop directed by Dr. Nancy Y.  McGovern is taking place October 22-24, 2014 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada hosted by Government Records Service, Shared Services BC, Government of British Columbia.

The on-line Application will open Monday, August 19 at 11:00am eastern time.  Tuition is not due at the time of application. Spaces are limited to 24 so we encourage you to submit your application sooner than later.

http://www.regonline.com/dpworkshop2013october for the application website and more details.

Workshop Goal: Promote Practical and Responsible Stewardship of Digital Assets The goals of the workshop are to foster critical thinking in a technological realm and to provide the means for exercising practical and responsible stewardship of digital assets in an age of technological uncertainty. The workshop sessions are geared towards making a digital preservation program doable for any organization and all of the sessions include as many relevant examples as we can fit.

Workshop Audience The workshop series is intended for managers who are or will be responsible for digital preservation programs in libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions.

Workshop Content The workshop includes interactive presentations, group discussions, exercises, and individual assignments.Workshop attendees explore the range of components needed to develop an effectivedigital preservation program.

Workshop materials include action plans for organizations to complete when participants return to their institutions. Action plans result in organization-specific plans that incorporate technical, financial, organizational, and policy aspects encompassing the full life cycle of digital objects. The workshop focuses on strategies for organizations to implement now, while research and development goes forward in creating longer-term solutions that can be incorporated into the program framework.

The workshop begins with the premise that you are managing digital material and therefore does not specifically cover digitization except in ensuring the quality of digitized and born digital content to be preserved.

Digital Preservation Management Workshop organizers can be reached at:dpmanagementworkshop@gmail.com<mailto:dpmanagementworkshop@gmail.com