Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - ECON 912 G100

Selected Topics in Economics (4)

Class Number: 4262

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Offered by arrangement.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topic Title: The Biological Basis of Economic Behavior

Description:
This course explores the evolutionary and neuroscientific foundations of modern economic behavior.
Topics that will be covered include:
1. MOTIVATION
2. EVOLUTION OF UTILITY
3. NEUROSCIENCE AND ECONOMICS
4. INTERTEMPORAL PREFERENCES
5. ATTITUDES TO RISK
6. THEORY OF MIND AND ECONOMICS

NOTE: FURTHER DETAILS ON THE MATERIAL WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FIRST CLASS.

Grading

  • Midterm Exam 1 30%
  • Midterm Exam 2 30%
  • Paper (including presentation) 40%

NOTES:

There will be two midterms, each two hours long, on February 6 and March 19. These will be closed book and will ask you to discuss some of the material we talked about. A term paper is also required. This should contain original material–criticisms of relevant literature, for example. It should be about 20 pages, double-spaced. The paper is due at the end of term. You will present your paper in one of the last classes, with about 20 mins for each of you. Grades will be assigned as follows 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no generally useful text. However, for some topics, you will find the following book chapter helpful "The Evolutionary Foundations of Preferences" (with Larry Samuelson) available at http://www.sfu.ca/~robson/Handbook.pdf . We are also writing a book on the evolution of preferences and excerpts from that will be posted on canvas. The course will be mainly based on key published and unpublished papers.

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.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

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