Economics 420 - Game Theory and Applications

Game theory analyzes situations in which multiple individuals (or firms, political parties, countries) interact in a strategic manner. It has proved useful for explaining cooperation and conflict in a wide variety of strategic situations in economics, political science, and elsewhere. Such situations can include, for example, firms interacting in imperfectly competitive markets, auctions, arms races, political competition for votes, and chess. This course will provide an introduction to the tools and insights of game theory. Though mathematically rigorous, emphasis will be on applications rather than on formal theory.

Requisite: ECON 300 or 301 or consent of the instructor. Limited to 30 students. Fall semester.

Section 01: Professor Kingston. 
Section 02: Professor Baisa

How to handle overenrollment: If overenrolled, preference will be given to those who attend all classes during the first week; to those who preregistered; to Amherst College students; and to those with a strong background in mathematics and/or other quantitative areas of study.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Quantitative reasoning; regular problem sets and exams.