Dr Stephane Wolton

This course is available on the MRes/PhD in Political Science and MSc in Political Science and Political Economy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Some knowledge of game theory at the level of GV4C8.

Advanced treatment of game theory. The course will cover: Nash Equilibrium in static and repeated games, Subgame Perfect Nash Equilibrium, Perfect Bayesian Equilibrium and its refinements. The course will also discuss the implications of formal theory models for empirical analysis (comparative statics, equilibrium selection, omitted variable bias). Students will be exposed to both technical concepts and applications of these concepts in selected papers.

22 hours of lectures in the LT.

Students will meet with the instructor to discuss their research project twice during the LT.

A game theory textbook to be determined. A reading list for applications of the main concepts covered in class will be provided to students at the beginning of the term.

Exam (40%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Presentation (30%) in the LT.
Other (30%) in the ST.

Students will be assessed on a class presentation on a paper decided in advance with the instructor (weight 30%), a small research project using the methodological concepts developed in the course (weight 30%), and a two-hour examination during the main period (weight 40%).