Growing Artificial Societies

Topic Overview

This course provides an introduction to agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS) as a method for the investigation of complex economic phenomena. Students explore, modify, and create virtual worlds that shed light on the actual world. Illustrative applications include the following:

• institutional determinants of inequality in the distribution of wealth

• sources of segregation in urban housing

• characteristics of social dilemmas such as the tragedy of the commons, and possible escapes from these dilemmas

• origins of cooperative behavior

• causes of economic growth

Learning Outcomes

After taking this course, students will be able to:

• explain how agent-based models are used in social-science research

• provide examples of how agent-based simulations can teach us about social processes

• describe a variety of ABMS research programs across the social-science disciplines

• contrast the strengths and weaknesses of agent-based social science with more traditional approaches (e.g., statistical or mathematical approaches)

• list some scientific questions that are best investigated with agent-based modeling

• describe some of the unique insights about economics provided by agent-based methods

• give examples of how ABMS has affected the social sciences

• describe different approaches to empirical validation in ABMS

• use a software toolkit to facilitate ABMS model exploration

• explain and use basic programming constructs, including looping, branching, and procedures

• modify and extend simple agent-based models

• explain why version control software (such as Subversion or git) is important

• design and construct simple agent-based simulations

• formulate hypotheses about a simulation model and create an experimental design to test these hypotheses

• conduct experiments with agent-based models

• use data-visualization techniques to analyze the results of agent-based experiments

• present the results of an agent-based research project

This course is designed as an introduction to tools, methods, and applications. Occasionally I will discuss technical details relevant to specific ABMS applications. Mastery of technical details will often be optional for undergraduates. Graduate students in this course will additionally be able to:

• explain how to use anonymous functions (lambdas)

• explain the difference between procedural design, object-oriented design, and functional design of agent-based models

• explain why object-oriented programming is widely used for ABMS

• describe basic principles of object-oriented program design

• effectively use version control software

Advanced students will additionally be able to:

• describe advantages and challenges of running agent-based simulations on a high-performance computing facility

• explain how parallel and distributed processing can speed up an agent-based simulation

Prerequisites

Students should take an introductory course in microeconomics before attempting this course. There are no other prerequisites. Specifically, there are no prerequisite programming courses.

This course does not assume prior experience with computer programming. However, it does assume a real interest in learning to program. In order to master the programming component of this course, you will need:

• commitment to critical thinking and analytical reasoning, along with curiosity about how to make computers do your bidding.

• willingness to start out with some intensive rote memorization, as when learning any new language. I recommend cooperating with classmates to create flashcards based on the NetLogo Dictionary.

In order to master the social-science component of this course, you will need:

• commitment to staying current with the required reading.

• interest in real-world social phenomena where computational approaches can be usefully applied (e.g., environmental policy, market microstructure, conflict, social networks, origins of cooperation/civilization, intergenerational transmission of economic status, social dilemmas, epidemics, or other area of application).

Communication

This class will use Canvas. Look there for the syllabus, lecture supplements, and assignments. Canvas announcements are sent by email; students must monitor these announcements and Canvas Conversations (Inbox). Students should also subscribe to the Canvas Discussions. In online interactions, all students are expected to adhere to basic etiquette: be respectful, and quote appropriately.

Participation Policy

Active and timely participation is required and graded. See the Assignments module on Canvas for details.

Homework Policy

Homework submissions should be clearly labeled with your last name, the assignment number, and the course number. For computational assignments, you must submit a working program file. (Run it right before sending it: programs that do not run as submitted receive a grade of zero!)

Homework must be submitted in approved file formats. Submit written assignments in PDF format. The Software section of this syllabus discusses program and data formats, which each assignment will specify.

Input on Teaching

Near the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to evaluate this class and your learning experience by completing an Input on Teaching from Students (ITS) survey. You are strongly encouraged to fully participate in the ITS process. I especially appreciate written comments that help me to improve and strengthen this course.

Core Texts

An Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling

[Wilensky.Rand-2015-MIT] (This book is used for required readings; it is available electronically from the Library.)

NetLogo User Manual

A a free online resource.

Online Statistics Education

A a free (public domain) online resource.

For additional individual exploration, also see my list of supplementary texts.

Software

Please install NetLogo and Excel on your personal computer before the term begins. (NetLogo is a free download; Excel is provided free to AU students.) See the required software listing for more details. You may also wish to to consider installing some supplementary software, but this is not required.

Support Services

On campus services such as the Writing Center may require explicit instructor approval before providing assignment-related support. Just show them this paragraph, which provides that approval. Of course you cannot ask these services to actually write assignment-related code or text for you. However, you can request help understanding why code you wrote is not working, how best to format your tables, how to effectively work from an outline, and other useful support.

Introduction to Computational Modeling

Beginning Computational Modeling

Computational Social Science

Implementing ABMs

Documenting Agent-Based Models

More Agent-Based Methods

Optional Midsemester Topics (Should Time Permit)

At this point, we may insert one or more optional topics, time permitting.

• Econophysics as Macroeconomics

• Inheritance and Wealth

• Advanced NetLogo Programming

See the syllabus supplement for these and other possible topics.

More Interacting Agents

More Spatially Situated Agents

Modeling Skills

Networks of Agents

Agent-Based Macroeconomics and Finance

Other Possible Topics (Should Time Permit)

See the syllabus supplement for other possible topics. Let me know if any are a priority for you.

Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) MGC 243, 202-885-3360.

All students may take advantage of the Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) for individual academic skills, counseling, workshops, tutoring and writing assistance, as well as Supplemental Instruction. All services are free. The services include the Writing Center (first floor of Bender Library), which assists students with academic writing and assignments. The Math/Stat Lab (Myers Building, 202-885-3154) which provides mathematics and statistics tutoring. Additional content tutoring is also available in the ASAC’s Tutoring Lab.

Academic Integrity

Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University’s Academic Integrity Code. By registering for this course, you have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic Integrity Code and your obligation to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as defined by the code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary actions will be taken should violations occur. The standard sanction for violations is failure of the course.

Emergency Preparedness

In the event of a declared pandemic (influenza or other communicable disease), American University will implement a plan for meeting the needs of all members of the university community. Should the university be required to close for a period of time, we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of our educational programs will be delivered to our students. These may include altering and extending the duration of the traditional term schedule to complete essential instruction in the traditional format and/or use of distance instructional methods. Specific strategies will vary from class to class, depending on the format of the course and the timing of the emergency. Faculty will communicate class-specific information to students via AU e-mail and Blackboard. Students are responsible for checking their AU e-mail regularly and keeping themselves informed of emergencies. In the event of a declared pandemic or other emergency, students should refer to the AU Web site (american.edu/emergency) and the AU information line at (202) 885-1100 for general university-wide information, as well as contact their faculty and/or respective dean’s office for course and school/college-specific information.

Sharing of Course Content

Students are not permitted to make visual or audio recordings, including live streaming, of classroom lectures or any class related content, using any type of recording devices (e.g., smart phone, computer, digital recorder, etc.) unless prior permission from the instructor is obtained, and there are no objections from any of the students in the class. If permission is granted, personal use and sharing of recordings and any electronic copies of course materials (e.g., PowerPoints, formulas, lecture notes and any classroom discussions online or otherwise) is limited to the personal use of students registered in the course and for educational purposes only, even after the end of the course.

Exceptions will be made for students who present a signed Letter of Accommodation from the Academic Support and Access Center. See: How Do I Request Accommodations?

http://www.american.edu/ocl/asac/Accommodations.cfm

To supplement the classroom experience, lectures may be audio or video recorded by faculty and made available to students registered for this class. Faculty may record classroom lectures or discussions for pedagogical use, future student reference, or to meet the accommodation needs of students with a documented disability. These recordings are limited to personal use and may not be distributed (fileshare), sold, or posted on social media outlets without the written permission of faculty.

Unauthorized downloading, file sharing, distribution of any part of a recorded lecture or course materials, or using information for purposes other than the student’s own learning may be deemed a violation of American University’s Student Conduct Code and subject to disciplinary action (see Student Conduct Code VI. Prohibited Conduct).