Sociology & social network analysis

In this course, students analyze the complex interplay between technology, social networks, and society, building on insights from prior courses in this sequence. They learn how sociological theory can be applied to derive recommendations for the design of technology, such as social media and other digital technologies. They study how social networks, community characteristics, and tech design influence technologies’ adoption, form of use, and impact on our social life. In practical assignments, they learn how to handle network data. This course provides a culminating perspective, synthesizing insights from psychology, social dynamics, and decision-making to prepare students for nuanced design and research in human-technology interaction.

After completing this course, students should be able to:

• Explain the core concepts and research questions in sociological studies of technology.
• Identify and apply social network theories to innovation diffusion.
• Evaluate sociological theories in addressing issues within ICT and social media.
• Develop design recommendations for technologies based on theoretical problem analyses.
• Construct arguments about technology design, focusing on social impacts.
• Critically assess the social consequences of technology design decisions.
• Use network analysis software to create and interpret network visualizations.
• Calculate and interpret centrality and social cohesion measures.
• Simulate network diffusion processes and design appropriate interventions.

You must meet the following requirements

• Registered for a degree programme other than
• HBO-TOP Applied Physics, Pre-Master
• Completed none of the course modules listed below
• Behavorial research methods 1 (0HPH05)
• Behavorial & social theories of HTI (0HSUB0)
• HTI in social context (0HV80)
• Risk, trust and social media (0LSUB0)

• Journal articles, State of the art and overview article and texts