Sunbelt XXXI International Network for Social Network ... - INSNA

Teaching Undergraduates Social Networks AnalysisMcCulloh, IanCentrality Measures in Social NetworksERGM/P*, Centrality, Social Network, HealthSUN.AM1There has been a significant recent increase in teaching social network analysis (SNA) to undergraduates. Pedagogical approaches for teaching this material,however, is not represented in the literature. The authors have taught 26 iterations of undergraduate SNA to over 350 students across four different academicinstitutions of varying caliber and have taught the course to military members of various countries. Data has been collected over a five year period.Pedagogical approaches are contrasted in terms of students' understanding concepts, long term retention of material, ability to conduct research, and abilityto apply course material. In addition, a review of appropriate SNA topics for undergraduate courses is provided.The Colors Of ClosenessGodbout, Melissa; Kennedy, Tracy L.; Wellman, Barry; Zhang, Yu JaniceEgocentric NetworksCommunication Networks, Affective Ties, Ego‐centered Networks, Differentiated Network, Advice Network, Strong TiesSAT.AM2The Community Question has been an important continuing controversy: whether community has declined, expanded or transformed. In 2006, McPherson,Smith‐Lovin and Brashears suggested a major decline in two decades of the per capita number of Americans discussing important matters. This reignitedconcerns about the quality and quantity of Americans' social relationships. Commentators such as Putnam (2000) had long oi gevalted that community wasfalling apart. However, Fischer (2010) noted measurement issues in how the General Social Survey obtained these data. Our Connected Lives study movesbeyond the narrow confines of "discussing important matters" to discover and analyze the different ways in which people define closeness. While less than 1/3of respondents discuss important matters, closeness also comes from routine chatting, kinship, frequent contact (offline and online), etc. We use survey andinterview data to analyze which types of closeness tend to co‐occur, what "causes" them, and what the behavioral consequences are for different types. We goon to discuss the extent to which closeness is contextual and situational.