Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Undergraduate Seminar in Social Networks

Sociology 4650 - Undergraduate Seminar in Social Networks

How, precisely, do our relationships with others affect us? In this course, we'll learn to think more systematically about our personal networks by zooming out -- by looking at our relationships from a bird's eye view -- to understand the ways in which they are structured (and why that structure matters). We'll tackle such questions as:

  • What does it mean to say we live in a "small world"? Are we really all connected to each other by "six degrees of separation"? 
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, we can see some of the consequences of our "small world" unfolding in real time. What does such hyperconnectivity mean more generally for the spread of diseases, information, and social influence?   
  • Why are we so often friends with others who are similar to ourselves? What implications does this have for social inequality?  
  • How can the structure of our relationships impact our mental health? 
  • How can we design and analyze surveys properly to learn more about our social networks? 
  • How do new digital technologies open up new ways for humans to connect -- and for researchers to analyze those connections? 

Registration for Autumn is open now and seats are still available. If you have questions about any of the sociology department undergraduate course offerings, please contact the advising team via email or the view the advising page.