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University of California, Davis

Computational Social Science Methods

University of California, Davis via Coursera

Overview

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This course gives you an overview of the current opportunities and the omnipresent reach of computational social science. The results are all around us, every day, reaching from the services provided by the world’s most valuable companies, over the hidden influence of governmental agencies, to the power of social and political movements. All of them study human behavior in order to shape it. In short, all of them do social science by computational means.

In this course we answer three questions:
I. Why Computational Social Science (CSS) now?
II. What does CSS cover?
III. What are examples of CSS?

In this last part, we take a bird’s-eye view on four main applications of CSS. First, Prof. Blumenstock from UC Berkeley discusses how we can gain insights by studying the massive digital footprint left behind today’s social interactions, especially to foster international development. Second, Prof. Shelton from UC Riverside introduces us to the world of machine learning, including the basic concepts behind this current driver of much of today's computational landscape. Prof. Fowler, from UC San Diego introduces us to the power of social networks, and finally, Prof. Smaldino, from UC Merced, explains how computer simulation help us to untangle some of the mysteries of social emergence.

Syllabus

  • Computational Social Science (CSS)
    • In this module, you will be able to examine the history and current challenges faced by social science through the digital revolution. You will be able to discuss the mystery at the core of society: social emergence. You will be able to recall the fundamental building blocks of the scientific method and how they apply to the new computational tools we now have available. You will be able to defend what people mean when they say that ‘social studies’ are currently maturing to become a ‘real science’.
  • Example of Computational Social Science: Data Science
    • In this module, you will be presented with an example of how computational social science is applied in the real world through a case study. You will be able to discuss examples of digital footprint and describe how computational social science is applied. You will practice an activity and be able to configure a machine to create a database that can later be used for analysis.
  • Examples of CSS: Machine Learning & AI
    • In this module, you will be able to discover how artificial intelligence can convert news stories into a real-time observatory of global unrest and potential terror attacks, and how brain scans can be used to reveal aspects of your moral values. You will be able to practice interacting with artificial intelligence that can interpret your art skills.
  • Examples of CSS: Social Networks and Computer Simulations
    • In this module, you will be able to discover how social networks and human dynamics create systems that are larger than you and me: social systems. You will be able to discuss how social networks and human dynamics follow recognizable patterns. You will be able to identify how social network analysis and computer simulations are currently quite successful in untangling some of the mysteries of social emergence.

Taught by

Martin Hilbert

Reviews

4.7 rating, based on 123 Class Central reviews

4.7 rating at Coursera based on 323 ratings

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  • I really enjoyed this course and learned a lot of valuable concepts. My main criticism--and this just may be because of my particular learning goals--was that I didn't learn to DO as much I'd hoped. The data scraping lab was the kind of stuff I wanted to learn. I understand that extracting data, building models, and mapping data all also require theoretical background. However, for my particular goals I'd have liked to have done more application. Perhaps there are other courses that do that which I'll enjoy even more now that I have a good overview of the theory.
  • Profile image for Bonny
    Bonny
    I’m so confused by all the glowing reviews of this course. Am I taking a different course than everyone else? Perhaps my style of learning differs from most, but I’ve found this course ridiculous at times (with multiple in-video quiz answers revol…
  • so far so good, It's an introductory course which introduces a lot of concepts . Let's hope there are more lab and hand-on tutorial and practical skill which i can apply in real life
  • Anonymous
    This is a rather intense course. There is a lot of information to take in, especially if you complete all the optional/complimentary materials (there is an entire textbook to read at the end of module 1!). However, it is worth it. I have thoroughly…
  • Anonymous
    I very much like the format, the collaborative contribution of the various experts in this intertwined field. The only change I would recommend for future iterations or similar efforts (not always possible but was the only real technical issue I n…
  • Muhammad Imran Riaz
    Overall course was good specially web scraping was the best, however some Instructors went quite fast and catching up was a problem. Big Data was the best. Machine Learning also good but very fast speed in the lecture. Social Networks syllabus needs to be refined as more data needed to understand cultures in my opinion. Overall we learned lot of things .
  • Anonymous
    The content is really informational and easy to understand for begineers. This course is like a summary of what we willl learn throughout the specialization. However, the free version is really limiting in ters of not just inacessibility to quizes but also to hands on learning experiences.
  • Anonymous
    The course is quite fascinating, with lectures that engaged my interest. The practical work, while not excessively lengthy or challenging, provided me with a valuable overview of tools that I can apply in my future research. Thank you!
  • Anonymous
    Excellent introductory course on Computation Social Science. Overviews the concepts and includes history of social science and ties it all together. A good starter to understand the importance of social science. Thank you.
  • Anonymous
    That is the best course I have ever took through Coursera. Professors are very very enthusiastic about what they teach, course content, links, quizzes, and assignments (peer-reviewing and web scraping) are highly helpful and informational. I felt li…
  • Anonymous
    This course has been instrumental in enhancing my comprehension of social science concepts, thanks to the clear and accessible delivery of the materials.
  • Anonymous
    It is very helpful to start getting familiar with the method of CSS. If you're studying social science as I am it will be useful to take this course.
  • Anonymous
    The course provides fundamental concepts and showcases data analysis application cases in the field of social science. There is a practical exercise in collecting data from Youtube. The course also talks about machine learning and social scenario simulation. In both cases, examples of uses of these resources are shown, but it does not indicate that specific software can be used to perform machine learning and scenario simulations. But it is still a useful course due to the high level of exposure to the concepts and dilemmas that constitute big data.
  • An excellent course to enter the field of Computational Social Science. Even if one doesn't end up in this field, it gives a fascinating insight into how society works in general. I really liked the hands on approach. The examples used in the lectures were perfect!
  • Anonymous
    Learned a great deal - the rate of change in the existence and use of big data is astounding. Course provides an excellent backdrop to how Big Data is actually being used.
    - On a positive note, to understand human behavior - how we are connected and to see how how there are patterns never previously seen clearly.
    - On a more intrusive note - welcome 1984 - to understand how, for example, Facebook, Google, the political parties, and others, influence us on levels we never even realized, using information that we never fully appreciated that they have.
    I can wholeheartedly recommend this course and share that I enjoyed it very much.
  • Anonymous
    Dear Professor,
    First of all, thank you very much for this course.
    I searched for this course on Coursera to understand more about CSS. This course helped me prepare my lecture for a module I am currently teaching. The lectures were very clear and straightforward.
    Jayesh G
  • Anonymous
    Excellent course to have a high level understanding of what Computational Social Science (CSS) is and the methods used in the field including Machine Learning, Social Network Analysis, Agent-Based Simulations among others. The course provides many…
  • Anonymous
    I this was a very good and clear way to start the course and I liked how it was structured. The lectures were well paced and engaging. And the exercises that ere provided helped with understanding the material. I do wish there were more interactive exercise but since this is the first course and an introduction that it did not require a lot of exercises. I would recommend this class to others who are interested in network analysis and I am excited for the upcoming courses. The resources provided with each week were also very interesting and knowledgeable helping to understand the material further.
  • Anonymous
    It was a nice introduction to the field. If you want to get familiar with the CSS while not being engaged with more complicated technical details much, it's the right course for you.
  • Profile image for Neisha Terry
    Neisha Terry
    This course was very interesting. I learned some skills and gained insight that is now leading me to ask more pointed questions in relation to my research.

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