ECON 212 : Game Theory
Business and Economics
2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Game Theory or Interactive Decision Theory is a theory that seeks to describe the behaviour of motivated, intelligent decision makers and the results of the interaction of such decision makers. It is the basis of much of modern economic theory and of the rational approach in political science, as well as signicant parts of law, biology, engineering, and philosophy. It is a formal theory and in many parts uses, and requires, sophisticated mathematics. However, in comparison to other parts of economics, it can also be quite concrete. Thus, for this course, while there is a strong formal component that is mathematical, the mathematics is kept to a relatively low level. A reasonable command of high school algebra and a willingness to think somewhat abstractly is sucient. The course is taught in a traditional lecture style but most learning will result from students completing the assigned problems. Each week there are assigned recordings for students to watch and a set of exercises that should be attempted prior to class meetings where students can ask for further explanation and will be expected to contribute to discussion of the recorded material and the exercises. Exercises are to be handed in at the first class of the week and will be graded on a 0, 1, 2, 3 scale. (3: all exercises attempted and mostly right, 2: most exercises attempted and many right, 1: less than that, 0: exercises not submitted that week.) Marks will be available promptly but exercises will not be returned. Students should keep a copy of their answers and be ready to present answers in class and participate in class room discussion of the exercises. Students will be called on by name to make presentations or add comments. All students are expected to attend all classes. If you cannot attend class you cannot take this course.
Course Requirements
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse the basic issues in theories of strategic decision-making (Capability 3.2 and 5.1)
- Explain how to recognise strategic situations and represent them as games (Capability 4.1)
- Solve simple games using various techniques (Capability 5.1)
- Analyse various situations using game theoretic techniques (Capability 4.1)
- Apply the more formal aspects of the theory (Capability 3.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Exercises | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Classroom Participation | 10% | Individual Test |
| Tests | 60% | Individual Examination |
| 3 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Weekly Exercises | ||||||||||
| Classroom Participation | ||||||||||
| Tests | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will include live online events including tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
The feedback was positive, so we will continue in the spirit of the course.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.