Summer 2018 - POL 319 D100

Selected Topics in Political Theory (4)

Playing Games: Strategies for Addressing Policy

Class Number: 6670

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Wed, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 9, 2018
    Thu, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics:  Playing Games: Strategies for Addressing Policy Challenges 


How can a Basic Income Guarantee be implemented in Canada and other democracies? This example (among others to be discussed in this course) illustrates the challenges that any attempt at fundamentally redesigning the social contract must address. Conflicts about the just distribution of resources are inevitable but cooperation in resolving them can also be achieved. In recent years, political philosophers, political economists and other social scientist have turned to game theory and “social choice” for possible solutions to these problems (e.g., K. Binmore, B. Skyrms, G. Mackie, P. Pettit, A. Sen). Their reflections are the subject matter of this course. No discussion of these ideas is possible without first learning more about the technical aspects of these methods and this course is intended to provide students with this useful analytical background. But the goal is not just to acquire technical proficiency. It is also to deploy these methods in examining a vast range of policy and moral  issues attendant to institutional design, and the restructuring of the welfare state in particular.

There will be a two-hour lecture followed by a discussion period.

Grading

  • Essay (around 8,000 words) 40%
  • Short paper (around 2,500 words) 20%
  • Final Exam 30%
  • In class participation 10%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

We will be using various sources, most of which are available on Canvas on the SFU Library website, except for the following which you my want to purchase:

Roger McCain. Game Theory and Public Policy, 2nd ed. Elgar Publ. (2017)

Ken Binmore. Natural Justice. New York: Oxford U. Press (2005).

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS