Syllabus
Note
The syllabus is tentative – topics may get rearranged as the course proceeds.
Timetable
| Date | Topic | Homework | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.4. | Welcome + Intro to ABMs | Installing Julia | Gilbert (2020), chapter 1 |
| 16.4. | Programming basics | Making birds fly | Gilbert (2020), chapter 2 |
| 23.4. | A model of language learning | Variational learning | Yang (2000), pages 231–236 |
| 30.4. | Speaking and listening | Modules and packages | Introducing Julia/Modules and packages |
| 7.5. | Models of language change | Language change: parameter exploration | None |
| 14.5. | Structured populations | Thinking about your project | One paper of your choice from readings/projects on ILIAS |
| 21.5. | Programming best practices | (keep thinking about your project) | Smaldino (2023), chapter 10 |
| No lecture (Vorlesungsfreie Zeit) | |||
| No lecture (Vertiefungswoche) | |||
| 11.6. | Social networks | Degree and clustering | Smaldino (2023), chapter 9 |
| Cancelled due to sickness | |||
| 25.6. | Simulations on social networks | Ensembles and statistics | |
| 2.7. | Presentations 1 | ||
| 9.7. | Presentations 2 | ||
| 16.7. | Exam | ||
| 25.8. | Deadline for project written reports |
Course requirements
To pass this course, you will need to satisfactorily complete both:
- The final exam
- Small programming project + in-class presentation + written report, either solo or in small group (depending on your preference)
The examination will be based on the following materials:
- Lectures and associated lecture notes (on this website)
- Homework contents (on this website)
- Readings (on ILIAS)
Programming project topics need to be decided before the Vorlesungsfreie Zeit. However, I encourage you to start thinking about potential topics as soon as possible, and, if you want to work in a group, also to form your group as early as possible.
References
Gilbert, Nigel. 2020. Agent-Based Models. Second edition. London: SAGE.
Smaldino, Paul E. 2023. Modeling Social Behavior: Mathematical and Agent-Based Models of Social Dynamics and Cultural Evolution. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Yang, Charles D. 2000. “Internal and External Forces in Language Change.” Language Variation and Change 12: 231–50. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954394500123014.