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.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements for this course, students should have the knowledge and skills to:
• Understand how game theorists think and approach a strategic problem.
• Understand the tools taught in class and be able to recognise their application to the analysis of real world fact situations.
• Recognise the strategic issues in a problem and understand how a game theorist might decide on the appropriate tools to analyse it.
• Read and understand simple articles using game theory.
• Appreciate and understand the underlying structure of simple games used in other courses;
Other Information
See the course outline on the College courses page. Outlines are uploaded as they become available.
Indicative Assessment
Assessment is on the basis of a number of Problem Sets, a midterm examination, a final examination and in-class quizzes. 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.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Students taking this course are expected to commit at least 12 hours a week comprised of: 3 hours of lectures and, 1 hour of tutorial, and 8 hours of private studyRequisite and Incompatibility
Assumed Knowledge
Prior acquaintance with economic modeling is helpful, but is not a requirement for the course.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 3
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $5400 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8934 | 23 Jul 2018 | 30 Jul 2018 | 31 Aug 2018 | 26 Oct 2018 | In Person | N/A |
