In many – perhaps most – economic interactions, there is potential for strategic behaviour, a term, “intended to focus on the interdependence of the adversaries’ decisions and on their expectations about each other’s behaviour.” (Schelling, 1960, The Strategy of Conflict).   Recognising and understanding such behaviour is an essential part of any economist's toolkit and this course is designed to enable just such recognition and understanding.

Game theory has successfully been applied in a diverse range of fields, such as economics, political science, law, biology and computer science. The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to strategic thinking and analysis through the basic techniques of game theory and to illustrate the range of its applications in economics and business and other areas.  While the level of the course will be introductory, and mathematical prerequisites are minimal, the presentation of the material will rely on precise logical arguments.

Game theory provides a framework for analysing situations in which two or more individuals interact in a strategic setting, where each individual's welfare depends on the behavior of the other individuals. The aim of this course is to introduce the main ideas of game theory. The theory will be illustrated by way of examples, which will primarily be drawn from economics and political science. While the level of the course will be introductory, the presentation of the material will rely on precise logical arguments.

Assessment is on the basis of a number of Problem Sets, a midterm examination, a final examination and a class presentation.  The presentation will involve the exposition and critique of a leading paper in trade theory.  The problem sets involve a mixture of analytical numerical questions and brief written answers.  The exams may also include a range of question types: short answers, definitional questions, analytical problems and essays.

12 hours per week

At least an average of 65% (or equivalent) in the final two years of an Australian undergraduate degree with introductory level courses in Economics, Statistics and Econometrics

Prior acquaintance with economic modeling is helpful, but is not a requirement for the course.

See Course Website:  http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/courses/course.asp?code=ECON8053

See Course Website:  http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/courses/course.asp?code=ECON8053

See Course Website:  http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/courses/course.asp?code=ECON8053

For further information please refer to http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/courses/course.asp?code=ECON8053