363-0558-00L Introduction to Game Theory: Strategic and Cooperative Thinking
| Semester | Spring Semester 2020 |
| Lecturers | V. Britz |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Comment | It is recommended to take 363-0503-00L Principles of Microeconomics first. |
| Abstract | Noncooperative and Cooperative Game Theory, concepts and applications |
| Objective | The goal of the lecture is to learn how to think strategically or cooperatively and to apply the concepts of game theory to economic, social, political, and business situations. Students will gain competence in a variety of standard game-theoretic concepts. They will also become familiar with the ways in which these concepts are applied in Economics and related disciplines. |
| Content | Part 1: Strategic Thinking (Noncooperative Game Theory) Thinking in static and dynamic games with complete and incomplete information Part 2: Cooperative Thinking (Cooperative Game Theory) Thinking in repeated and cooperative games. The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to both cooperative and non-cooperative game theory. The course will start from scratch with the most basic game-theoretic concepts, such as weak and strict dominance, or Nash equilibrium. Progress will be rather swift, however, and the course will cover more advanced concepts such as signaling games and Bayesian equilibrium. Students will gain an understanding of the broad relevance and applicability of game theory in Economics and related disciplines. Instruction will take several forms such as lectures, exercises, and experiencing some of the games discussed in the lectures. |
| Lecture notes | For inquiries and questions regarding the course organization please send an email to Dr. Oriol Tejada (toriol@ethz.ch). |
| Literature | Davis (1997): Game Theory: A Nontechnical Introduction. Courier Dover Publications Dixit and Nalebuff (1991): Thinking Strategically. W.W. Norton & Company Fudenberg and Tirole (1991): Game Theory. MIT Press Gibbons (1992): Game Theory for applied economists. Princeton University Press Mas-Collel et al. (1995): Microeconomic Theory. Oxford University Press Myerson (1992): Game Theory: Analysis of Conflict. Havard University Press Osborne (2003): An Introduction to Game Theory. Oxford University Press Watson (2002): Strategy: An Introduction in Game Theory. W.W. Norton & Company |
| Prerequisites / Notice | The lecture will be in English. |