DA4106 Trust, Influence and Networks

This course examines the underlying nature of trust and influence, especially as they shape and are shaped by social networks. Students will acquire a theoretical foundation for these concepts and how they apply to a broad spectrum of activity, including work processes, military operations, underground movements, information and intelligence operations, governance, and the media; how trust and influence are established, maintained, exploited, and lost; and the functions they serve for individuals, organizations, and societies. Concepts will be illustrated with examples drawn from a variety of contexts. The course is aimed especially at students concerned with unconventional warfare, information operations, network-centric warfare, nation building, civil and military affairs, public affairs, terrorism, and intelligence. Prerequisites: None.

Lecture Hours

Lab Hours

Course Learning Outcomes

Human Dynamics in Warfare (and Irregular Warfare): Students should gain an understanding of the interplay of trust, influence, and networks as a component of warfare’s (and irregular warfare’s) anthropological, sociological, and psychological aspects.
Information Strategy: Students should learn how the interplay of networks, trust, and influence can sway neutral audiences, affect adversary decision-making, and protect allied communications, information systems, and decision-making from attempts to influence them by adversaries.
Formal Analytics, Problem Solving, and Design Applications: Students should demonstrate their ability to conduct formal analysis and problem-solving through a research project that explores how trust, influence, and networks affect the dynamics of warfare and irregular warfare. Their project should reflect an understanding of conflict, will, motivations, power dynamics, decision-making, and cross-cultural issues.
Writing and Presentation: Students should learn to write an effective 10–15 page paper and deliver a 5-10 minute presentation on their research topic.