Economic Games and Strategies

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General course information and requirements

Semester: Fall 2007
Course: Economics 332X, Economic Games and Strategies
Instructor: Dr. Stonebraker
Office: 401 Thurmond
Office phone: 323-2488
E-mail address: stonebrakerr@winthrop.edu
Office hours: MW 3:30 - 5 p.m., TR 9 - 11 a.m., F 1 - 2 p.m.
                       Other times are available by appointment.

Text:

Games of Strategy, 2nd edition, by Avinash Dixit and Susan Skeath, W. W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2004. The course closely will follow both the structure and content of the text.

Grades:

Grades will be determined by four exams (the final exam is the fourth exam) and class participation as follows:

 

        Exam with highest score:            29%

                  Exam with 2nd highest score:     24%

        Exam with 3rd highest score:      24%

        Exam with lowest score:            18%

        Class participation:                       5%

Exams:

Exam questions will stress analysis rather than factual information and will be based on the material presented in class. You will be expected to write short essay/explanation answers and to solve a variety of numerical game problems. Students caught copying/cheating will be dealt with harshly.  The final exam will be given at 8 a.m. on Friday, December 7.  The approximate grading scale will be:

        86 - 100%      A
        72 - 85%        B
        60 - 71%        C
        50 - 59%        D
          0 - 49%        F

Make-up policy:

Make-up exams will be given to students with what I judge to be a valid excuse. Needing more time to study is not a valid excuse. If you cannot make an exam I expect to be notified as quickly as possible, preferably before the exam. Students who do not notify me in a timely manner should not expect a make-up exam.

Class participation:

Especially in a small class, participation is a critical part of the learning experience.  The first prerequisite of adequate participation is attendance: both physical and mental attendance.  I expect you to pay attention, ask and answer questions as appropriate, and interact with your classmates and instructor in a meaningful way.  This will count for 5% of your final grade.  

 

Homework:

 

The key to success in any problem-solving course is (duh) to practice solving problems.  I will assign a variety of such problems for your educational enjoyment.  Although I expect you to complete them, they will not be turned in and graded.  The best strategy is to work in small groups on a regular basis to complete the problems and then check the answers that will be provided on the course web page.  You will have opportunities in the next class period to clear up any confusion. Since I do not collect or grade these assignments, some students may choose to ignore them or try them the night before the test. This is an excellent strategy for those hoping to receive a failing grade.

Attendance policy:

 

You are expected to attend every class on time and are responsible for all class material whether or not you attend.  Following  the Winthrop University Attendance Policy, students may not miss as many as 1/4 of the class meetings.  Those withdrawing before the withdrawal deadline will receive a grade of N.  Those missing as many as 1/4 of the classes who do not withdraw by the deadline will receive a grade of F, or U, whichever is appropriate.

Course withdrawal:

 

Friday, October 19 is last day to withdraw from this course.  (An automatic N grade is issued.)  Students may not withdraw after this date without documented extenuating circumstances to the Office of Records and Registration.

Students with disabilities:

 

Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible.  Once you have your Professor Notification Form, please tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first assignment.

Homework answers:

 

Click on the following link for password-protected answers to assigned problems: Answers

Course Outline

I.   Introduction to Modern Game Theory

Chapters 1 and 2

   

II.  Basic Concepts and Techniques

A. Sequential move games

     Chapter 3

B. Simultaneous move games

     Chapters 4 and 5

               Calculus of optimization review

C. Combining sequential and simultaneous moves

     Chapter 6

D. Mixed strategy games

     Chapter 7

 

III.  Classes of Games and Strategies

A. Handling uncertainty

     Chapter 9 (omit sections 5C and 5D on pp. 287-292)

B. Strategic moves

     Chapter 10

C. Repeated games

     Chapter 11

D. Collective action games

     Chapter 12 (omit section 6 on pp. 414-418)

 

IV.  Special Topics (if you're lucky)

A. Evolutionary games

     Chapter 13 (omit section 5 on pp. 444-447, section 6E on pp. 450-452 and sections 7-9 on pp. 452-458)

B. Auctions

     Chapter 16

C. Bargaining

     Chapter 17