Our world is complex. There are many people, companies, and governments that interact to create new, unanticipated phenomena. There are many social phenomena that we see, including market crashes and political uprisings. It is difficult to make sense of all this. Models. Research shows that models are more effective than those without them. People who have a lot of models perform better than those who only use one. What makes models better? The models we use to organize data help us make sense of the information (choose your metaphor). The accuracy of forecasts can be improved by using models. These models help us to make more informed decisions and implement better strategies. These models can even improve the design of institutions and procedures. This class will present a starting kit of models. I begin with models that show tipping points. Next, I will cover models to explain crowd wisdom, model that illustrate why certain countries are wealthy and poor, as well as models that can help you understand the strategies of politicians and firms. This class provides a solid foundation for any future sociology classes in business or economics. This class will help you get a head start in more advanced classes. These courses will also benefit you throughout your life. This is how it will work. Each model is given a brief, easy-to-understand overview. Then, I'll dig deeper. Then, I will go in depth about the details. These technical lectures will not require any calculus, but you should be ready for algebra. You'll be able to ask questions, and there will even be a quiz and a final exam. A Course Certificate will be issued to those who take the deep dive and complete all quizzes. You can also follow the lectures for some experience. All of it is free. It's free and it will help you think better!
