This course is organized in modules . Each module typically lasts 2 weeks and includes readings, lectures, labs, and assignments. The course culminates in a final project where you will apply what you’ve learned to a social phenomenon of your choice using agent-based modeling.
Weekly classes ¶ Day Session Time Tuesday Session A 2:10–2:55 pm Tuesday Break 2:55–3:05 pm Tuesday Session B 3:05–3:50 pm Thursday Session A 2:10–2:55 pm Thursday Break 2:55–3:05 pm Thursday Session B 3:05–3:50 pm
Important Dates ¶ Date(s) Event/Note Tue Sept 2 Semester begins Tue–Wed Oct 21–22 Advising Days (no class Tue Oct 21) Wed–Fri Nov 26–28 Thanksgiving Break (no class Thu Nov 27) Thu Dec 11 Last day of class Dec 13–18 Final Project Reports
Modules organization ¶ Module Title Weeks Covered Main Topics/Focus Module 1 Introduction Weeks 1–2 Intro to ABM, Course orientation, Social sciences, Models & methods, NetLogo basics Module 2 Segregation Weeks 3–4 Segregation in sociology, Schelling model, Inequality, Extending models Module 3 Contagion Weeks 5–6 Collective behavior, Thresholds, Social movements, Protest/rebellion, Project pitches Module 4 Cooperation Weeks 7–8 Cooperation, Commons, IPD, Project scope, Proposal workshop Module 5 Polarization Weeks 9–11 (and parts of 12-15) Diffusion, Polarization theory, Labs, Debates, Project build, Presentations
Visual Overview ¶ Week Dates 📖 SRG Prep 🧪 Lab Memo 📝 Reflection Essay 🎓 Project Milestone 🗂️ Other/Notes 1 Sep 2 & 4 Course intro 2 Sep 9 & 11 ✅ #1 ✅ #1 3 Sep 16 & 18 ✅ #2 ✅ #2 ✅ #1 4 Sep 23 & 25 ✅ #3 ✅ #3 5 Sep 30 & Oct 2 ✅ #4 ✅ #4 6 Oct 7 & 9 ✅ #5 7 Oct 14 & 16 ✅ #6 ✅ #5 ✅ #2 8 Oct 21 & 23 ✅ Proposal 9 Oct 28 & 30 ✅ #7 ✅ Schema & Pseudocode 10 Nov 4 & 6 ✅ #8 ✅ #6 11 Nov 11 & 13 ✅ #9 ✅ #7 ✅ #3 12 Nov 18 & 20 ✅ Alpha 13 Nov 25 ✅ Beta Demo 14 Dec 2 & 4 ✅ #10 ✅ #4 Poster Draft 15 Dec 9 & 11 ✅ Final Pres, Report
Legend:
📖 SRG Prep = Structured Reading Group Prep Sheet 🧪 Lab Memo = Lab Memo 📝 Reflection Essay = Reflection Essay (≥1000 words) 🎓 Project Milestone = Project Proposal, Schema, Alpha, Beta, Design Review, Final Presentation/Report 🗂️ Other/Notes = Poster Draft, Course intro, etc. For the grading planning, visit Course Policies → Grading Rubric .