Human Dynamics: Mobility and Diffusion over Spatial Social Network

Human Dynamics: Mobility and Diffusion over Spatial Social Network

Instructor: Xinyue Ye, Ph.D.

E-Mail: xye5@kent.edu (wechat: 2241165161)

Course Description

Human being is always curious about how things are related in the world. Network Modeling is one of the prevalence and breakthrough technologies that trying to unravel the mystery of connectivity of the world. Nowadays, geographers are using social network with Geographic Information Science (GIS) to explore and analyze relationships among spatial objects. In the meantime, more and more virtual networks, such as facebook and twitter, have spatial characteristics which bring researchers opportunity to study spatial pattern of virtual network elements such as information diffusion and human behavior across space. This course will focus on theoretical and substantive themes within social network analysis and spatial network. Basic knowledge of network elements as well as tools for social media network analysis and visualization will be covered in this course followed by several case studies. In addition, visualization and analysis of spatial network will be discussed for those virtual network having geographic characteristics.

COURSE PREREQUISITE: There is no prerequisite to attend this class, although there will be some mathematical equations involved but most of them will be very easy to understand. Students from different fields are welcome to this course. .

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Know the major theoretical ideas supporting network research.

2. Analyze and interpret spatial social network data.

3. Collect network data and create their own networks.

4. Simulate diffusion over spatial networks.

COURSE SCHEDULE