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CornellX: INFO2040x Networks, Crowds and Markets

Syllabus

CornellX - INFO2040x: Networks, Crowds and Markets

Spring 2016 Syllabus

Instructional team

Dr. David Easley, Professor, Economics and Information Science, Cornell University
Dr. Jon Kleinberg, Professor, Computer Science and Information Science, Cornell University
Dr. Éva Tardos, Professor, Computer Science and Information Science, Cornell University

About the course

The course invites you to examine the interconnectedness of modern life through an exploration of fundamental questions about how our social, economic, and technological worlds are connected. Students will explore game theory, the structure of the Internet, social contagion, the spread of social power and popularity, and information cascades. This MOOC is based on an interdisciplinary Cornell University course entitled Networks, taught by professors David Easley, Jon Kleinberg, and Éva Tardos. That course was also the basis for the book, Networks, Crowds, and Markets: Reasoning About a Highly Connected World. This course is designed at the introductory undergraduate level without formal prerequisites.

Prerequisites

High school algebra, some background in probability

What will the successful students be able to do after taking this course?

  • Identify methods for using the tools of graph theory as a basis for studying the Internet and social networks
  • Analyze optimal behavior in different strategic settings.
  • Apply the tools of matching markets in a variety of settings.
  • Use tools of game theory to analyze web search and design.
  • Explore the relationships between markets, information, and consumer expectations.
  • Analyze the processes through which ideas, beliefs, opinions, products, technologies, and social conventions often spread through social networks.

The current UTC date and time are:

Week

Release
(14:00 UTC, Tuesday)

Section

Subsection

Readings
(chapters from online textbook)

Assignment
(Due 19:00 UTC, the next Tuesday)

Week 1

Feb 23

Exploring Graph Theory

(NA)

1.1-1.2, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 3.5, 5.1-5.3, 20.1-20.2

All quizzes/activities must be completed

Week 2

Mar 1

Game Theory and Auctions

(NA)

6.1-6.8, 8.1-8.2, 9.1-9.4

All section quizzes/activities must be completed

Week 3

Mar 8

Matching Markets

Section 1: Introduction to Matching Markets

10.1-10.5

All subsection quizzes/activities must be completed

Week 4

Mar 15

 

Section 2: Bargaining on Networks

12.1-12.8

All subsection quizzes/activities must be completed

Week 5

Mar 22

Web Search

Section 1: Introduction to Web Search

13.1-13.4, 14.1-14.4

All subsection quizzes/activities must be completed

Week 6

Mar 29

 

Section 2: Sponsored Search Markets

15.1-15.6

All subsection quizzes/activities must be completed

Week 7

Apr 5

Information Cascades

Section 1: Introduction to Information Cascades

16.1-16.7

All subsection quizzes/activities must be completed

Week 8

Apr 12

 

Section 2:  Popularity, Network Effects and
Informed Traders

18.1-18.6, 17.1-17.3, 17.5, 22.5-22.9

All subsection quizzes/activities must be completed

Week 9

Apr 19

Social Contagion

(NA)

19.1-19.4, 21.1-21.3

All section quizzes/activities must be completed

Week 10

Apr 26

Final Exam

 

 

Final Exam must be completed

 

What are the students expected to do for successful completion of the course?


Why you are taking this course will impact what you decide to do and complete. A few ways to take this course are outlined below:

  • Certificate: You want to achieve all of the course learning objectives described above to have a better understanding of networks. To do this you’ll need to watch the videos, answer the questions and complete the homework assignments. You should go through the subsections sequentially and complete the “check your understanding” questions that are included in the subsections, usually after each video. To truly understand the material, as you watch the videos you should take notes and work through the problems, pausing the video if necessary. The best way to master the material is to work through it!  You will probably spend four to five hours per week on the course material.
  • Audit: You’re interested in seeing what networks is about and how it developed over the course of modern history. In this case you might want to answer some of the check your understanding questions that are included in the subsections, and may want to attempt the homework at the end of each subsection.
  • Peruse: You just want to poke around and explore a few topics, but don’t want to take the whole course or complete the assignments. We would still encourage you to try some of the questions and hope that you find some material that interests you.

What are discussion boards?


These are places for participants to discuss the class, ask questions, and bring up news items related to the course on a weekly basis. Discussion boards are moderated by the course instructional team. There are a variety of discussion boards set up for the course.

  • Discussion boards embedded in subsections – A few discussion boards are embedded in the subsections of the course. These are very specific questions that you can discuss with others in the class and are related to the content of the subsection.

For more information on discussion boards, please see below and refer to the discussion board details https://www.edx.org/blog/getting-most-out-edx-discussion-forums.

In order for discussion boards to run smoothly, please refer to the guidelines below for basic discussion board etiquette. How you phrase your posts is important. Please remember that the participants in the MOOC come from all over the world, representing a variety of cultures and speaking many different languages. Be respectful of others and be aware of the tone of your posts. Think through and re-read your posts before posting!  A few guidelines are outlined below.

  • Read what others have previously posted to avoid repeating comments. You can always upvote good posts.
  • Never use derogatory language or make insensitive comments. (You should flag inappropriate posts!)
  • Do not personally attack people. It’s fine to disagree, but use facts and reasons to back up an argument, not personal attacks.
  • Stick to the topic of the discussion board.
  • Remember that humor is often difficult to convey in text – avoid it if people might not understand what you are trying to say.
  • Avoid slang and use appropriate spelling – given the diversity in the class, what might mean something to you will not mean the same thing to someone else. Correct spelling will also help others understand what you are asking/referring to.
  • Use correct grammar.
  • If you reference something, provide everyone with the link or reference.

 

Who should take this course?

This course is for anyone who wants to know how networks work in modern society. Those who can benefit from taking this course are:

  • High school students who want to learn more about a subject that is an important part of their everyday lives, but that they rarely see examined carefully. The course will be at roughly the level of an AP course.
  • Undergraduates at a wide variety of colleges that do not offer courses on this subject.
  • Individuals who are not in school, but want to learn more about topics such as how Google works and how it makes money, how to understand and use social networks in the workplace, or how to bid on eBay.

Whatever your motivations, if you complete the course and its assignments you’re sure to have a better understanding of networks.