Keywords

Learning outcomes

This course provides basic formal modeling. The student will learn expected utility theory, decision theory, simultaneous strategic form games, extensive form sequential games, mixed strategy equilibrium, and extensions.

Contents

This course is designed to introduce students to the use of formal models to approach social science problems. Human action entails strategic action – when people interact with each other, they make decisions about what to do based on what they think they other person(s) will do. Formal theory establishes a set of tools that allows us to understand how they make these decisions. This tool can be extended to understand more complex interactions, such as decision making in politics and economics.

Evaluation and evaluation criteria

Numeric 1-5.
quizzes worth 25%, one exam worth 40% and one final paper worth 35% Homework will be assigned but not collected. There will be frequent quizzes given in class both to give students an opportunity to test their skills and understanding and to give me an opportunity to see how well the class is following the material.

Study materials

Journal articles, selected textbook chapters

Dixit, A. and S. Skeath. 2004. Games of Strategy, 2nd Edition. Norton.

Watson, J. 2002. Strategy: An Introduction to Game Theory, Norton.

Aliprantis C.and S Chakrabarti. 2000. Games and Decision Making. Oxford.

 

Further information

Number of students (min-max):
20

Belongs to following study modules