Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - ECON 422 D100

Seminar in Game Theory (3)

Class Number: 4068

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 18, 2022
    Sun, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 302 with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Seminar in game theory and its applications. Covers equilibrium and non-equilibrium concepts for studying strategic interactions for static and/or dynamic games with complete and/or incomplete information. Applications will be drawn from human cooperation, market structure and design, strategic communication, politics, business strategy, collective bargaining, psychology, and environmental issues. Students who have taken ECON 482 Selected Topics - Applied Game Theory in Fall 2014 or Fall 2016 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is a continuation of ECON 302 and introduces students to additional concepts from game theory such as Bayesian games and perfect Bayesian equilibrium. However, the focus is on applications such as non-cooperative bargaining, reputation and strategic information transmission.

 

This course starts with a fast-paced review of relevant concepts from ECON 302. Students that took ECON 302 a long time ago or struggled in that course should be ready to work intensively in the first two weeks of class (and may wish to start reviewing the material in advance) in order to be adequately prepared for the rest of this course.

 

This course will require students to practice their oral communication skills as follows:

  • Each student will present part of the textbook to their peers. Each chapter to be covered will be pre-assigned to two or more students, and the section of the chapter presented by each student will be randomly determined on the day of the presentation.
  • Students will be expected to participate actively by asking questions during other students’ presentations.
  • On each problem set due date, a collaborative solution writing session will take place. Students will be graded based on their participation (verbal contributions to the solutions and questions and answers during these sessions).

 

Problem sets are a central component of this course. As such, they will be challenging and require a high degree of commitment. Students are expected to struggle with certain problems and to persevere in finding a solution. Those that enjoy this process should find this course quite rewarding

Grading

  • Review Quiz 10%
  • Presentation 20%
  • Participation 25%
  • Final Exam 45%

NOTES:

If favourable to the student, the lowest problem set participation score will count for 5% instead of being dropped, and the final exam weight will be reduced to 40%.

 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Tadelis, Game Theory: An Introduction, Princeton University Press.

 


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html