Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - ECON 436 D100

Seminar in Economics and Social Network Analysis (3)

Class Number: 4069

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Fr 9:30 AM – 12:20 PM
    WMC 3535, Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 13, 2022
    12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    AQ 5037, Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 302 or ECON 305, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to the field of network economics. The goal is to understand social networks and their influence on economic outcomes. Topics will include how to measure and represent networks, six degrees of separation and small world properties in networks, network formation models, influence of network on economics outcomes such as diffusion of ideas. Students with credit for ECON 483 under the title Social and Economic Networks may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This class will introduce students to the field of network economics: the goal is to understand social networks and their influence on economic outcomes. Topics will include how to measure and represent networks, six degrees of separation and small world properties in networks, network formation models, influence of network on economic outcomes such as diffusion of ideas.  

Topics:

 

  1. Introduction: Social Networks and Networked Markets
  2. Representing and Measuring Networks
    1. Definitions
    2. Degree distributions
    3. Small worlds, clustering and 6 degrees of separation.
    4. Homophily
  3. Network Formation
    1. Random networks.
    2. Strategic network formation models
  4. Social Networks and Markets
  5. Diffusion in Networks (Ideas, epidemics, etc…)

 

 

 

Grading

  • Class Participation 5%
  • Presentation in Class 20%
  • Midterm Exam 25%
  • Final Exam 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be from lecture notes, papers and other readings supplied on the Canvas Econ 483 website.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html