Introductory description

Mathematical Economics 1A, "Game Theory," is an introduction to the rigorous mathematical study of strategic interactions. Students will learn how game theorists model such interactions, and how those models can be analyzed. By the end of the module, they will have developed a formidable toolbox of game-theoretic techniques, and will be familiar with a variety of applications of these techniques to real-world situations, both economic and otherwise.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module will typically cover the following topics: Games in strategic form: Nash equilibrium and its applications to voting games, oligopoly, provision of public goods .Games in extensive form: sub game perfect equilibrium and its applications to voting games, repeated games. Static games with incomplete information: Bayesian equilibrium and its applications to auctions, contracts and mechanism design. Dynamic games of incomplete information: Perfect Bayesian equilibrium, Sequential equilibrium and its application to signalling games. Bargaining theory: Nash bargaining, non-cooperative bargaining with alternating offers and applications to economic markets. Evolutionary Game Theory Evolutionary game theory.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Subject Specific and Professional Skills:...demonstrate understanding of the tools of game theory, and the ability to apply them to wide classes of problems. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, seminars, guided reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: examination

Indicative reading list

Please see Talis Aspire link for most up to date list.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in:
Analytical thinking and communication
Analytical reasoning
Critical thinking
Strategic thinking
Problem-solving
Abstraction
Policy evaluation
Analysis of incentives
Concepts of Simultaneity and Endogeneity
Analysis of optimisation
Understanding of Uncertainty and Incomplete Information

Transferable skills

Students will have the opportunity to develop:
Numeracy and quantitative skills
Written communication skills
Oral communication skills
Mathematical, statistical and data-based research skills