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Game theory for social scientists (first term 2025/26)
Course aims and objectives
The course aims to provide a basic understanding of game-theoretic reasoning, models, and applications, which have become a standard analytical tool in contemporary social sciences. The course will begin on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The exam will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, starting at 12:30 p.m.
Lectures
At least ten sessions will take place
Texts
Joel Watson (2008). Strategy. An introduction to game theory (Second Edition), W. W. Norton & Company
Avinash K. Dixit, David H. Reiley Jr., Susan Skeath (2009). Games of Strategy (Third Edition), W. W. Norton & Company
For those students who are "devoted" to game theory:
Martin J. Osborn (2003). An Introduction to Game Theory, Oxford University Press
Examination
Course grades will be based on a written exam. The exam will be held on Friday, December 5 2025 12:30-14:00
The course aims to provide a basic understanding of game-theoretic reasoning, models, and applications, which have become a standard analytical tool in contemporary social sciences. The course will begin on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The exam will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, starting at 12:30 p.m.
Lectures
At least ten sessions will take place
Texts
Joel Watson (2008). Strategy. An introduction to game theory (Second Edition), W. W. Norton & Company
Avinash K. Dixit, David H. Reiley Jr., Susan Skeath (2009). Games of Strategy (Third Edition), W. W. Norton & Company
For those students who are "devoted" to game theory:
Martin J. Osborn (2003). An Introduction to Game Theory, Oxford University Press
Examination
Course grades will be based on a written exam. The exam will be held on Friday, December 5 2025 12:30-14:00
First theme: The theory of individual choice (suggested movie: Ecce Bombo)
Second theme: Static games in normal form and dominated strategies
Third theme: Nash equilibrium (suggested movie: A beautiful mind)
Fourth theme: Normal-form games and mixed strategies
(suggested movies: 1) coordination game: Totò, Peppino e la Malafemmina; 2) chicken game: Footloose; 3) Happy Days)
(playing games with R: the hop package)
Fifth theme: Dynamic games in extensive form (suggested movie: Sherlock Holmes: A game of shadows; Sliding Doors)
Sixth theme: Dynamic games of imperfect information (suggested movie: Total Recall)
Seventh theme: Repeated games
Eight theme: Games of incomplete information: static games
Ninth theme: Games of incomplete information: dynamic games
Tenth theme: Games of incomplete information: dynamic games with updating of players’ beliefs (suggested movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; The Princess Bride)
Conclusion: A philosophical ending
Second theme: Static games in normal form and dominated strategies
Third theme: Nash equilibrium (suggested movie: A beautiful mind)
Fourth theme: Normal-form games and mixed strategies
(suggested movies: 1) coordination game: Totò, Peppino e la Malafemmina; 2) chicken game: Footloose; 3) Happy Days)
(playing games with R: the hop package)
Fifth theme: Dynamic games in extensive form (suggested movie: Sherlock Holmes: A game of shadows; Sliding Doors)
Sixth theme: Dynamic games of imperfect information (suggested movie: Total Recall)
Seventh theme: Repeated games
Eight theme: Games of incomplete information: static games
Ninth theme: Games of incomplete information: dynamic games
Tenth theme: Games of incomplete information: dynamic games with updating of players’ beliefs (suggested movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; The Princess Bride)
Conclusion: A philosophical ending