88-118 HSS Freshman Seminar: Social Simulation

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

In the last few decades people have begun using computer simulation to understand social behavior more and more. Phenomena like segregation in cities, responses to a fire, language change, and social norms have all been analyzed utilizing simulation. They have been used to understand historical events and even the behavior of bacteria. This course will focus on two intertwined threads: the techniques behind these simulations and the philosophical justification for using simulation to understand behavior. By the end of the course, students will have created their own novel simulation and will provide a scientific justification for that model.

Prerequisites: none listed

Courseweave needs JavaScript to show sections, workloads and planning tools.