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Unit outline_

OLET2346: Social Network Analysis Principles

Intensive September, 2020 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Social Network Analysis (SNA) allows you to understand the structure of relationships between people and organization, its drivers, and its consequences. It enables you to explore how ideas or behaviour spread and explain why individuals or teams with specific patterns of relationships do better than others. OLET2346 Social Network Analysis Principles will help students understand the fundamental principles of network research thinking, developing their network literacy required for success in an increasingly connected world characterized by an abundant source of diverse information. This unit will enhance students' understanding of diverse network structures, concepts of network centrality, network diffusion and how social networks can be leveraged or can hinder the delivery of desired real-world outcomes. This OLE will require an estimated 50 hours of course learning content, practical formative exercises and assessments. Graduates of this unit are expected to develop Interdisciplinary effectiveness, Digital literacy, Influence, Broader Skills, Depth of Disciplinary expertise.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 2
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Petr Matous, petr.matous@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small test Online quizzes
Quizzes covering ten masters ideas of social network analysis
50% Multiple weeks 25 minutes each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Participation in online discussions
Respond to assigned discussion topics and engage with peers
10% Multiple weeks 3 discussion tasks
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO6
Assignment Written submission
construction of networks of specified properties
40% Week 06 4+ pages
Outcomes assessed: LO5

Assessment summary

  • Quizzes: designed to deepen and test students’ comprehension of the 10 master ideas of social network analysis.
  • Written submission: students will be asked to manually construct a number of networks with quantitatively specified topological properties, which will be unique to each student.
  • Participation in online discussions: student will need to contribute in timely, professional, and constructive manner with their examples of networks and engage with submissions by others.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Live Zoom Sessions discussing the topics covered in online materials and conducting network analysis. Block teaching (6 hr)  
Ongoing Students will engage with the online course content and recommended materials. Independent study (35 hr)  
Week 06 Students will create networks that satisfy set criteria. Project (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Three optional live Zoom sessions will be provided to discuss the course content and students’ work. These are not compulsory.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All course materials are accessible via Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understanding the concept of networks
  • LO2. understanding key principles of social network analysis
  • LO3. understanding the real-world drivers and consequences of networks
  • LO4. leveraging social networks for practical purposes
  • LO5. awareness of quantitative measures of network topology
  • LO6. awareness of types and limitations of social network data

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit is provided.

Work, health and safety

There is no face-to-face interaction permitted for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.