DEMO8086 Social Science of the Internet
| Offered By | Australian Demographic & Social Research Institute |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Graduate Coursework |
| Course Subject | Demography |
| Offered in | First Semester, 2013 and First Semester, 2014 |
| Unit Value | 6 units |
| Course Description |
The World Wide Web is only around 20 years old, but it has transformed the way we work, collaborate, engage in commerce, participate in politics and interact socially. This course focuses on the contribution of social science to understanding life in the "Age of the Network". While attention is paid to relevant insights or approaches from other disciplines, for example applied physics and computer science, the primary focus is on theoretical and empirical contributions from economics, political science and sociology. There is particular emphasis on the role of quantitative analysis of surveys of individuals and statistical network analysis of digital trace data (e.g. blog/social network service/web/email data) in understanding the social science of the Internet. |
| Learning Outcomes |
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Critically assess the social, political and economic impact of the World Wide Web. 2. Understand how digital trace data from the Web can help answer long-standing social science research questions. 3. Conduct basic social network analysis. 4. Locate relevant data, tools and research methods for conducting research using web data. 5. Compare social scientific approaches to studying the Web with those from other disciplines. |
| Indicative Assessment |
1. Participation in online forum (15%, 750 words approx.) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5] 2. Social network analysis problem set (15%, 750 words equiv.) [Learning Outcome 3] 3. Online test (15%, 750 words equiv.) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 5] 4. Critical review of journal article - paper and podcast presentation (20%, 750 words) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5] 5. Final paper (35%, 3000 words) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5] |
| Workload |
Total workload is approximately 10 hours per week including working through online activities, participation in online forum and private study. |
| Course Classification(s) | AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs. |
| Areas of Interest | Marketing, Political Communication, Political Sciences, Population Studies, Science Communication, Social Research, and Sociology |
| Recommended Courses |
DEMO8007 Statistics for Social Scientists or equivalent. DEMO8087 Online Research Methods. |
| Consent Required | Students not enrolled in the Master of Social Research or the Graduate Certificate in Social Research require permission of the Masters Coordinator, Professor James Raymer, to enrol in this course. Please email him on adsri.study@anu.edu.au |
| Indicative Reading List |
Course notes and additional readings will be available via the learning management system (Wattle). |
| Programs | Graduate Certificate in Social Research, Graduate Certificate in Social Research, Master of Social Research, and Master of Social Research |
| Other Information |
Students undertaking the "Social Science of the Internet" stream of the Master of Social Research must take this course and DEMO8087 Online Research Methods. In 2013, this course is taught in online mode only. |
| Academic Contact | Dr Robert Ackland |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2013 website applies to the 2013 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2012 website.
