317003 Social and Economic Networks (V) (SoSe 2009)

The analysis of various types of networks is one of the most lively fields of research in economics, as well as in other social sciences. Topics reach from friendship relations to R&D collaborations between firms. This course does not intend to put emphasis on the large body of empirical literature, but focuses on economic models of network creation and evolution as well as the effect of network structures on economic interactions. One central question is how networks change when actors create and dissolve relationship ties in a goal-oriented manner.

Preliminary outline:
I. Introduction to basic terms and concepts
II. Modelling strategic network formation
III. Behavior and games on networks.

Teilnahmevoraussetzungen, notwendige Vorkenntnisse

Knowledge in Microeconomics and Game Theory is very helpful.

Literaturangaben

Goyal, S. (2007): Connections: An Introduction to the Economics of Networks. Princeton Univ. Press.
Jackson, M.O. (2008): Social and Economic Networks. Princeton Univ. Press.
Vega-Redondo, F. (2007): Complex Social Networks. Econometric Society Monographs.
Wasserman, S. & Faust, K. (1994): Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications. Cambridge University Press.