JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "EC 327 H" COURSE NAME: "Game Theory - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)" SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2020

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Francesco Ruscitti EMAIL: [email protected] HOURS: MW 4:30-5:45 PM TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45 CREDITS: 3 PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: EC 201 and MA 208 OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Situations in which the outcome of your own decisions depends also upon what others do are pervasive in everyday life. Game Theory focuses on the study of strategic interactions, which occur if the payoff (e.g., utility or profit) to an agent depends not only on her own decisions but also on the decisions made by others. In the presence of strategic interactions, choosing an ‘optimal’ course of action requires taking other agents’ behavior and beliefs into account. This is an introductory course in Game Theory which develops the basic tools and concepts necessary to analyze such interactions and understand how rational agents should behave in strategic situations. In recent years, game theoretic methods have become central to the study of networks (e.g, financial networks) and social interactions. In this course they are used to analyze such economic and political issues as oligopoly, the problem of the commons, auctions, bank runs, collusion and cartels, the conduct of monetary policy, bargaining, global warming, competition among political parties, arms races, negotiations and conflict resolution (e.g., contested resources and territorial disputes). Emphasis is placed on applications, practical understanding and a tools-oriented approach. The topics will be presented through a combination of abstract theory and many applied examples.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: Refer to the regular course syllabus. Note: This is a preliminary draft of the syllabus.  Note: The topic honors students write their paper about is more advanced than the material covered in class and involves the use of Calculus and formal and abstract models.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Refer to the regular course syllabus.

TEXTBOOK: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments Format Local Bookstore Online Purchase Strategy: An Introduction to Game Theory. Third edition, 2013 Joel Watson W.W. Norton & Company ISBN-13: 978-0393918380 ISBN-10: 0393918386

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: NONE RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight Exams Refer to the regular course syllabus 100 Honors You may take the Game Theory course for an extra Honors credit if your GPA is 3.5 or higher. If you do this, you will have to write a further assignment. The extra assignment will generally consist in a short and rigorous paper on a topic indicated and supervised by the instructor. In terms of depth, the level of the topic examined will be more advanced than the material covered in class. Thus, in order to write the paper you need to be proficient in Calculus and you have to be willing/able to undertake independent study. If the extra assignment achieves a "B" grade or higher, you will be given the extra credit. Whether you get the extra credit will not affect your letter grade for the class. In other words, your letter grade for the class will be independent of receiving the extra honors credit 0 -ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course. 93-100:A. 90-92.99:A- BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. 86-89.99:B+. 83-85.99:B. 80-82.99: B- CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. 75-79.99:C+. 70-74.99:C. 65-69.99:C- DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. 60-64.99:D+. 55-59.99:D. 50-54.99: D- FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant. Below 50: F -ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: Honors students are required to attend all classes. For the examinations and all other policies refer to the regular course syllabus.

ACADEMIC HONESTY As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Refer to the regular course syllabus.