Curriculum
Following the pedagogical structure used in SFI’s Complex Systems Summer School over the last 30 years, this program will feature a series of lectures that introduce fundamental mechanisms and models of complex systems. There will also be a series of applied lectures, that show the applications of these models and methods to issues related to economic, political, and social life.
Some of the core methods that will be covered include:
i. network analysis,
ii. computational social science (including agent-based models, but also things like NK landscapes, etc.),
iii. applied scaling theory,
iv. emergent engineering, and
v. digital humanities
Some of the applied topics include:
i. inequality
ii. climate change
iii. technological disruption in social systems
iv. federalism and democracy
v. belief dynamics
vi. the future of work
Although the seminars and discussion sessions will dominate the 12-day schedule, the group project is most important aspect. Towards this end, there will be ample time for informal collaboration with peers and instructors. All courageous thinkers interested in understanding social life are welcome, but folks with strong quantitative skills are especially welcome.