Description
SIM – Network is an Assignment where you explore the concept of networks, situate your Political Actors in a network, and explain the whether the relationships between the Political Actors in your network are positive, neutral, or negative.
Estimated Time
An estimated 2 hours is needed to complete this activity.
The Concept of the Network
The concept of the status quo is central to any simulation, as you read earlier. Another central concept to any simulation is a network. A network is “an interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system” (Merriam-WebsterLinks to an external site.).
Example: Your Social Network
For example, a social network consists of you, your family, your friends, and your colleagues. Below is a visualization of this social network.
But, is your social network limited to just your family and friends?
No, your social network extends to the family of your family, or the friends of your friends, or the colleagues of your colleagues. Now, if this is the case, how would the above network image change?
There are several ways the network would change, for example, include:
From your Mother we can add a line to her sister (or your Aunt).
From your New Friend, we can add a line to her Father (or your new friend’s Dad).
From your POSC Professor, we can add a line to his former employer a U.S. Congressman (or my Professor’s old boss).
From your Writing Tutor, we can add a line to her boss (or the Writing Center Director).
Networks are all around us, and it is important to recognize that you a part of a network.
Example: An Economic Network
Another example is an economic network. Below is a visualization of an economic network as operationalized by the Caterpillar Inc.
The economic network depicted above involves Caterpillar BulldozersLinks to an external site.. I use this as an example because my 2-year son is interested in these objects.
Now, these bulldozers don’t just appear out of thin air. They are manufactured by the Caterpillar Inc.Links to an external site..
However, Caterpillar Inc. may have economic or business relationships with “makers” of components of the Caterpillar Bulldozer.
For example, Caterpillar Inc. may have relationships with steel makers, engine makers, tire makers, and drive system makers. These makers manufacture specific components that the Caterpillar company contracts for.
This is another example of a network.
Example: U.S. Trade Network
Trade is a popular topic in US Government and Politics. The salience of trade is pronounced during times of political conflict between leaders of countries.
Trade consists of imports (items brought into a country) and exports (item sent out of a country).
The United States trades with almost every country in the world. The following document shows an Export.Gov report of year 2018 Exports from the United States to countries all over the world.
Actions
You will observe that the document does not feature a “fancy” graphic of a network, like the examples of Your Social Network and An Economic Network have. Rather, the information is presented in table format.
However, with some effort, you could map the connections between the United States and five trading partners.
Two Examples of Network Drawings
Simple Example of a Political Actors Network
A simple example of a Political Actors Network consists of 4 circles and three lines.
The circle in the center can be denoted as your “Represented” Political Actor.
Visualize a line from the center circle to each of the three other circles.
The three other circles are your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Political Actor that you selected from the prior SIM – Political Actors assessment.
Each line connecting the center circle to each of the three other circles can be denoted with as Positive (+ symbol), Neutral (0 symbol), or Negative (- symbol).
A Complex Example of a Political Actors Network
A complex example of a Political Actors Network consists of 4 circles and six lines.
Visualize four circles located on the top, left side, right side, and bottom.
Then, visualize lines connecting each circle to each other for a total of 6 lines.
You have one circle for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Political Actor that you selected from the prior SIM – Political Actors assessment.
Each line connecting a circle to another circle can be denoted with as Positive (+ symbol), Neutral (0 symbol), or Negative (- symbol).
Instructions
Step 1: Draw a Network
Draw a Network of your 4 Selected Political Actors and Denote Relationships.
On a sheet of paper or using computer software (like SmartArtLinks to an external site. in Microsoft Word or Graph CommonsLinks to an external site.), draw a network of the Political Actors you chose from the prior assignment.
It is not required to convert your general Political Actor into a specific Political Actor. For example, you convert the “Executive Branch” political actor into the specific Political Actor “President of the United States”. However, if converting from a general to specific Political Actor makes it clearer in your mind, then you are welcome to do so.
When you connect one actor with another actor, note whether the relationship is positive (use a plus + sign) or neutral (use a 0) or negative (use a minus – sign).
Take a picture of your paper and upload the picture or include the picture in a Word document. Or, if you are using computer software, you can take a screenshot and upload the picture or include the picture in a Word document.
Step 2: Denote a “Represented Group”
Denote one of the 4 selected Political Actors as your “Represented Group”.
Recall from SIM – Political Actors, you were asked to clearly state which of the 4 groups you want to represent
On your drawing, be sure to denote one of the 4 selected political actors as your “represented group”
A “represented group” is the political actor you would theoretically represent in a more traditional role-playing simulation
Step 3: Write 5 Sentences
After you have completed drawing your network, write a 5-sentence explanation of your network drawing. Here are some questions to consider helping your write an explanation:
Why is the connection between two actors positive?
What evidence have you observed (tweet, blog post, newspaper article, etc.) that supports your declaration of a positive relationship between two actors?
Why is the connection between two actors neutral?
What evidence have you observed (tweet, blog post, newspaper article, etc.) that supports your declaration of a neutral relationship between two actors?
Why is the connection between two actors negative?
What evidence have you observed (tweet, blog post, newspaper article, etc.) that supports your declaration of a negative relationship between two actors?
Step 4: Submission of Assignment
When you click “Submit Assignment” you can use the “File Upload” Tab and upload a Word Document or PDF that includes both the image of your network and 5-sentence explanation.
