Anthropology 179A

Networks and Complexity

Fall 2001 TuTh
Tues, Thurs in SST 630
(Computer Lab)
last year's special topic:

Social Dynamics
Announcements / Assignments List of Links Discussion Board... Topics
Syllabus

Initial Projects

Data UCI electronic education environment

At bookstore:

  • Theme 1 - Social Network Analysis: A Handbook by John Scott
  • Theme 2 - Self-Organized Systems (SOC) 038798738X.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg (12707 bytes) How Nature Works: The Science of Self-Organized Criticality - Per Bak. ISBN: 038798738X Amazon: $18.00
  • Theme 3 - Simulations of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Silicon Second Nature: Culturing Artificial Life in a Digital World by Stefan Helmreich For hands-on simulation experience, Download 0691015678.01.LZZZZZZZ.gif (12707 bytes) Starlogo from the MIT media lab (PC and Mac)
    Readings by the author of Starlogo: first chapter, pp. 3-19 (on decentralization): Turtles, Termites, and Traffic Jams: Explorations in Massively Parallel Microworlds (Complex Adaptive Systems) - Mitchel Resnick; 1997. Paperback MIT PRESS. ISBN: 0262680939 Usually ships in 2-3 days - Amazon Price: $12.50.
  • Theme 4 - Simulations of Evolutionary Dynamics (ED)
    see: Simulations: Evolving Artificial Moral Ecologies - Theoretical Background - Notes - Simulations - Simulators predprey - Patch Simulator- instructions

    Recommended:

  • Theme 2 - s The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. 2000. Malcolm Gladwell. Amazon Price: $22.46 Free shipping within 24 hours. Hardback: ISBN:0316316962 Paper: ISBN: 0316346624
  • Theme 3 - Simulations - 038798738X.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg (12707 bytes) Growing Artificial Societies: Social Science from the Bottom Up (Complex Adaptive Systems) - Joshua M. Epstein and Robert Axtell; 1996. Paperback Usually ships 24 hours - Amazon Price: $20.00.
    Instructor: Douglas R. White
    Office: 4169 Social Science Plaza A
    Office Hours: Tues/Th 11:00-12:00 or by Appt, x8495 (Lin 3175 SSPA)
    Phone: (949) 824-5893
    Email: drwhite[.at.]uci.edu

    Welcome to Anthro 179a! Social networks and dynamics, as an approach to understanding society and dynamical problems in social science, is studied through complexity theory and modeling interactions in social networks of various kinds of entities. In this course you will come to understand methods of dynamical analysis, the grounding of complexity theory in the sciences, learn the contributions of evolutionary game theory and coevolutionary theory, learn how computer programs are used to do network analysis and/or simulate multi-agent interaction, and read a variety of articles that use a dynamical, network or complex systems approach. In addition, you will write an exploratory research paper on a topic such as using dynamical methods to model a collection of actors interacting over time.
    Important Note: Please check the pages in this website frequently for updates. The date on the bottom of this page indicates the date the site was most recently revised. This site will contain a copy of the course syllabus, schedule, reading assignments, homework assignments, grades, and links for further information. In addition, a copy of all electronic announcements will be maintained and linked to the course web page. Please check this web site frequently.
    If you have not yet activated your UCI e-mail account, please do so as soon as possible.  Directions for UCINetID and student EA account activation can be found at The Office of Academic Computing Website.  If you wish to have a printed copy of anything on the Anthro 179a site, you can get it at Clone Copy.
    Special Announcements for Talks-click here (Extra credit for reportage):
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    Updated 10-Mar-2001 08:37:45 PST