Simulations (Mathematical sociology)
Not all questions lend themselves to empirical analysis; computational simulations provide an alternative. We explore their pertinence to answer two classic questions: How does social inequality emerge and how do neighborhoods segregate?
Background readings
Gilbert & Troitzsch, 2005, Ch1&2, “Simulation for the Social Scientist”
Optional readings
Bruch & Atwell, 2015, SSR, "Agent-based models in empirical social research"
Edling, 2002, ARS, "Mathematics in sociology"
Case-studies for reading, presentation and commentary
Thomas & Mark, 2013, SF, “Population size, network density, and the emergence of inherited inequality”
Bruch & Mare, 2006, AJS, "Neighborhood choice and neighborhood change"
Case-studies for written reviews
DellaPosta & al., 2015, AJS, “Why do liberals drink lattes?”
Manzo & Baldassarri, 2014, SMR, "Heuristics, Interactions, and Status Hierarchies. An Agent_based Model of Deference Exchange"
Mark, 1998, ASR, “Beyond individual differences. Social differentiation from first principles”
Smith & al., 2014, ASR, “Social distance in the United States: Sex, race, religion, age, and education homophily among confidants, 1985 to 2004”