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851-0252-07L 3 Credits DS , DR , MSC D-ITET , D-INFK , D-MATH , D-GESS
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Networks and Groups Dynamics

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Christoph Stadtfeld, Dr. Alvaro Uzaheta Berdugo, Ivana Smokovic
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:15

Abstract

Groups are ubiquitous in society and profoundly influence people's behaviour, attitudes, and opinions and how they interact and create social relationships. Social network researchers have always been interested in understanding what groups are, their formation, and their societal implications (e.g., for creative work, feeling integrated into a community, achieving common goals).

Objective

This seminar examines sociological, anthropological, management and social-psychological network research to identify how groups affect individuals and their social behaviour. By the end of this seminar, students will be able to identify and compare different approaches to group theories through the lens of social network research. They will be familiar with the development and recent publications in the fields of social networks and social science and will be able to critically participate in several open debates in these fields. Among others, these debates are centred around the types and measurement of groups, challenges in understanding what groups are, the effects of groups on people’s feelings, thoughts, preferences, and behaviours (e.g., identification), and how social and cultural phenomena emerge (e.g., the diffusion of culture and the spread of social movements).

Content

The following topics will be covered: - What is a group? - Social circles and groups in modern society. - Emergence of cohesive subgroups and cognitive dissonance - Clan, kinship, social roles, and communities - Identification and self-categorisation with groups - Teams, leaders, and their performance - Social influence and the conformity to social norms - Collecting data to analyse groups These topics will be discussed considering the development of these topics through a social network perspective, recent research, and their measurement and analysis.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DS , DR , MSC
Frequency
Semesterly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Registration & Places

Max Places
60

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
seminar Networks and Groups Dynamics
  • Mon 12:15-14:00 (ML F 38)
2 h weekly

Offered In