Applied Game Theory

This course covers basic concepts in game theory and applies these concepts to the social sciences. By the end of the course students will know how to identify Nash equilibria and Pareto optima, understand how to diagram simultaneous and sequential games, and be able to explain how different strategies apply to single play games and repeated games. Topics will include why conflict and cooperation occur among organisms with diverse goals and scarce resources, and how pro-social emotions and norms can alter human behavior in ways that facilitate cooperation. This course helps serve as a prerequisite for the MBDS Program.