2024 Summer School on Methodology of Computational Social Science
Syllabus and Schedule
Dates: 19-23 August 2024
Venue: A705 (Lecture Hall), The Third Multi-purpose Building, Huazhong Agricultural University
Overall objective
The objective of the five-day course is to help students to understand complex system theories and social simulation methodologies, to acquire ABM methods and NetLogo programming skills, and to apply social simulation in social science studies.
Learning outcomes
After attending the courses, students are expected to be able to
- understand the complex system theories and methodologies of examining social phenomena using social simulation
- create and run agent-based models to simulate social systems using NetLogo or other programming languages
- conduct simulation experiments with rigorous sensitivity analysis, parameter calibration and model validation
- use the Overview, Design concepts, and Details (ODD) protocol to document and describe agent-based models
- explore and apply agent-based modelling (ABM) techniques to simulate and analyze a variety of social dynamics and phenomena
- formulate research questions using complex system perspectives and use ABM to address research questions
Tasks
- Completing the homework assigned by the lecturers, including literature reading, modeling and presentation, and actively participating in classroom activities.
- Building a simulation model and/or draft a paper either individually or in a team of no more than 6 members.
- Reporting models and/or papers on the last day of the summer school. Outstanding work will be invited to present at ISSS 2024 on 24 August.
Agenda
Date |
Time |
Topics |
Lecturer |
Monday August 19 |
08:30-09:00 |
Opening and welcome
|
Hang Xiong |
09:00-11:30 |
Lecture 1: Computational social science and its methodology
Computational thinking with social science applications Key concepts and methodological tools in computational social science (focusing on social simulation) Typical applications Description of learning tasks and collaborative work |
Koen van Dam Zhanli Sun Hang Xiong |
11:30-14:30 |
Lunch Break |
14:30-17:30 (8:30-11:30 CET) |
Lecture 2: Modeling and simulation in social sciences
Principles of complexity and social complexity Introduction to social simulation and agent-based modelling Simulation for explanation and prediction in social systems |
Wander Jager |
19:00-21:00 |
Self-study (reading learning materials) |
Tuesday August 20 |
08:30-11:30 |
Lecture 3: NetLogo and its syntaxes
Basic programming and getting started with NetLogo Interacting with agents via the command center Code tab, buttons, sliders and procedures Monitor and plot Programming best-practices Building your first NetLogo model |
Koen van Dam |
11:30-14:30 |
Lunch Break |
14:30-17:30 |
Lecture 4-1: NetLogo skills
|
Zhanli Sun |
16:00-16:15 |
Tea break |
|
16:15-17:30 |
Lecture 4-2: Simulation of decision-making with NetLogo
Simulation of agents’ decision-making Behavior games on the roof Description of modeling tasks to be performed in groups |
Zhanli Sun Koen van Dam Hang Xiong |
19:00-21:00 |
Self-study (practicing modelling with NetLogo) |
Wednesday August 21 |
08:30-11:30 |
Lecture 5: Describing simulation models with ODD protocols
|
Zhanli Sun |
11:30-14:30 |
Lunch Break |
14:30-17:30 |
Lecture 6 Linking behavioral theories with simulation
|
Wander Jager |
19:00-21:00 |
Self-study (practicing modelling with NetLogo) |
Thursday August 22 |
08:30-10:00 |
Lecture 7-1 Simulation experiment with NetLogo
|
Hang Xiong |
10:00-10:15 |
Tea break |
|
10:15-11:30 |
Lecture 7-2: Decision-making supported by simulation
|
Koen van Dam Hang Xiong |
11:30-14:30 |
Lunch Break |
14:30-17:30 |
Lecture 8:
|
Wander Jager |
16:00-16:15 |
Tea break |
|
16:15-17:30 |
Give feedback Q&A |
All |
Friday August 23 |
08:30-10:00 |
Lecture 9: Advanced topics of using ABM
|
Koen van Dam Shuang Chang |
10:10-10:15 |
Tea break |
|
10:15-11:30 |
Self-study and drop-in session |
11:30-14:30 |
Lunch Break |
14:30-17:00 |
Student presentation in groups |
All |
17:00-17:30 |
Conclusion and award ceremony |
All |
