GAME THEORY AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS

POLISCI 348

Focuses on how to analyze problems in international politics by the use of game theory. Examples include governments making choices about the size of their military forces, barriers to trade, or international agreements on environmental issues. Analysts study strategic interaction using both informal and mathematical methods. Provides a good introduction to the basics of game theory -- a tool useful in many different settings -- as well as an introduction to the study of world politics. From the perspective of quantitative reasoning, one of the most important set of lessons center on the logic of strategic interaction and the notion of equilibrium. Along with basic game theory students will also be introduced to the pragmatic use of mathematical tools including algebra, set theory, functions, and probability theory. Not open to students with credit for POLI SCI 376 prior to fall 2017

POLISCI 836

Provides an overview of formal, i.e., game-theoretic, models of domestic politics. This course builds directly upon the material presented in Political Science 835.

POLISCI 935

Exploration of themes in contemporary political theory.

ECON 521

The study of multi-agent, interactive decision problems, with emphasis on questions of coordination, cooperation and conflict. Applications include relations between countries, competition between firms, bargaining between unions and firms, and contests between political candidates.

POLISCI 274

An introduction to decision analysis, strategic interaction, and voting systems and their manipulation. Examines a wide range of institutions for making social choices and the opportunities for the exercise of political strategy.