Network Dynamics

(An English-language class)

This course is over.

Lectures (4 SWS/6 ECTS)

This course is devoted to a mathematical and computational study of mechanisms governing the dynamics of network change. A specific emphasis lies on communication networks and social interaction. In this semester, we particularly focus on opinion dynamics, strategical and behavioral opinion formation.

Affinity for mathematics is required for this class.

Times 

Lectures:Wednesday, 15:15-16:45, E 403 (Sven Kosub)
Thursday, 10:00-11:30, E 403 (Sven Kosub)
Oral exams:February 2013, TBA (1st date)
April 2013, TBA (2nd date)

Content

The course contains the following topics (at least they are planned):

  • How can extremism prevail?
  • Networks
  • Simulation
  • Opinion change

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes are made available close in time to the lectures. The current version can be downloaded here. In case you have suggestions or comments (typos or any kind of errors) please send an email.

Literature

The course is mainly based on research papers which are not yet covered in a textbook appropriate for computer scientists. In-depth and background material of certain course aspects can be found in:

  • Henning S. Mortveit, Christian M. Reidys: An Introduction to Sequential Dynamical Systems. Springer, New York, NY, 2008.
  • Yaneer Bar-Yam. Dynamics of Complex Systems. The Advanced Book Program, Addison Wesley, Reading, MA, 1997.
  • Heinz Georg Schuster. Deterministic Chaos. VCH, Weinheim, 1994.
  • Stephen Wolfram. A New Kind of Science. Wolfram Media, Champaign, IL, 2002.