Postgraduate Module Descriptor


POLM162: Introduction to Social Network Analysis

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Introduction
  • Centrality
  • Measures of Network Structure
  • Social Capital
  • Block Models and Structural Equivalence
  • Basic Network Statistics
  • Brief overview of advanced techniques

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activity2211 x 2 hour sessions of lectures and demonstrations
Guided independent study128Time spent individually undertaking data analysis for exercises, final assignment

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Hanneman, Robert A. and Mark Riddle.  2005. Introduction to social network methods.  Riverside, CA:  University of California, Riverside (published in digital form at http://faculty.ucr.edu/~hanneman/).

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Plan for final essayStudents can submit an abstract or outline for final assignment1-9Written

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
90010

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Problem sets303 x 500 words on analysis of a problem set3-8, 9, 11Written
Classroom presentation1010 minute presentation on dataset for final paper3, 5, 6, 10Written
Final paper602000 words including an analysis component1-9Written

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Problem sets1500 words on analysis of a problem set3-8, 9, 11August/September re-assessment period
Recorded presentation10 minute presentation on dataset for final paper3, 5, 6, 10August/September re-assessment period
Final paper1 written assignment with data analysis component (2000 words)1-11August/September re-assessment period