http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Thu, 23 May 2013 15:47:01 PDT Thu, 23 May 2013 15:47:01 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=556023 Game Theory is a misnomer for Multiperson Decision Theory, the analysis of situations in which payoffs to agents depend on the behavior of other agents. It involves the analysis of conflict, cooperation, and (tacit) communication. Game theory has applications in several fields, such as economics, politics, law, biology, and computer science. In this course, I will introduce the basic tools of game theoretic analysis. In the process, I will outline some of the many applications of game theory, primarily in economics and political science. Game Theory has emerged as a branch of mathematics and is still quite mathematical. Our emphasis will be on the conceptual analysis, keeping the level of math to a minimum, especially at a level that should be quite acceptable to the average MIT student. Yet bear in mind that this still implies that you should be at ease with basic probability theory and calculus, and more importantly, you should be used to thinking in mathematical terms. Intermediate Microeconomics is also a prerequisite (simultaneous attendance to one of the intermediate courses is also acceptable). In any case, if you are taking this course, you should be prepared to work hard. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=555803 This course offers an introduction to noncooperative game theory. The course is intended both for graduate students who wish to develop a solid background in game theory in order to pursue research in the applied fields of economics and related disciplines, and for students wishing to specialize in economic theory. While the course is designed for graduate students in economics, it is open to all students who have taken and passed 14.121. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=555909 This half-semester course discusses decision theory and topics in game theory. We present models of individual decision-making under certainty and uncertainty. Topics include preference orderings, expected utility, risk, stochastic dominance, supermodularity, monotone comparative statics, background risk, game theory, rationalizability, iterated strict dominance multi-stage games, sequential equilibrium, trembling-hand perfection, stability, signaling games, theory of auctions, global games, repeated games, and correlation. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=555938 The unifying theme of this course is best captured by the title of our main reference book: "Recursive Methods in Economic Dynamics״. We start by covering deterministic and stochastic dynamic optimization using dynamic programming analysis. We then study the properties of the resulting dynamic systems. Finally, we will go over a recursive method for repeated games that has proven useful in contract theory and macroeconomics. We shall stress applications and examples of all these techniques throughout the course. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=555571 This course is an advanced topics course on market and mechanism design. We will study existing or new market institutions, understand their properties, and think about whether they can be re-engineered or improved. Topics discussed include mechanism design, auction theory, one-sided matching in house allocation, two-sided matching, stochastic matching mechanisms, student assignment, and school choice. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=555796 The course introduces statistical theory to prepare students for the remainder of the econometrics sequence. The emphasis of the course is to understand the basic principles of statistical theory. A brief review of probability will be given; however, this material is assumed knowledge. The course also covers basic regression analysis. Topics covered include probability, random samples, asymptotic methods, point estimation, evaluation of estimators, Cramer-Rao theorem, hypothesis tests, Neyman Pearson lemma, Likelihood Ratio test, interval estimation, best linear predictor, best linear approximation, conditional expectation function, building functional forms, regression algebra, Gauss-Markov optimality, finite-sample inference, consistency, asymptotic normality, heteroscedasticity, and autocorrelation. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=555684 This half semester class presents an introduction to macroeconomic modeling, focusing on the theory of economic growth and some of its applications. It will introduce a number of models of non-stochastic and stochastic macroeconomic equilibrium. It will use these models to shed light both on the process of economic growth at the world level and on sources of income and growth differences across countries. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=555845 Describes how economic theory is linked to economic evaluation techniques like cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis and to introduce students to many concepts that are specific to economic evaluation. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=555880 This course is an introduction to game theory and strategic thinking. Ideas such as dominance, backward induction, Nash equilibrium, evolutionary stability, commitment, credibility, asymmetric information, adverse selection, and signaling are discussed and applied to games played in class and to examples drawn from economics, politics, the movies, and elsewhere. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=726756 This is a free course offered by the Saylor Foundation.'Math for Economists will help you assemble a toolkit of skills and techniques to solve fundamental problems in both macroeconomics and microeconomics. The material covers both precalculus and calculus concepts and should help you identify the best approach to solving problems. For example, an economist may be called upon to determine the right mix allocation of capital to a production process. The tools in this course will help you evaluate the options and select from the best alternatives. Advanced courses in economics typically utilize mathematical techniques beyond basic calculus; so, gaining practice in fundamental skills can serve as a good basis for further study. Of note, this course applies precalculus and calculus; this is different from “applied math,” which economists typically use to refer to probability and statistics.This course begins with a survey of basic optimization tools and then applies them to solve problems over several periods in time. These optimization tools describe feasible choices and then direct you to the best possible solution. In essence, they will help you evaluate an economic environment and determine the best course of action. The role of risk in financial decisions is explored in relation to individual choices and macroeconomic processes. The equitable distribution of resources is then considered. In other words, this class will explore whether an optimal solution is indeed also fair to the participants and society. A specific application, game theory, is presented as one of the major recent advances in economic theory. The final topic returns to microeconomic problems such as taxes, elasticity, and specific types of supply and demand curves.The materials included in the course offer a framework that you can use to apply quantitative skills. You should liberally use Saylor course materials (MA001, MA003, MA005, ECON103/MA101, and MA102) to refresh their general techniques. This course fits into the major as a bridge between quantitative theory and specific applications to problems in economics. Completing this course can greatly help students successfully build a toolkit for the intermediate courses, ECON201 and ECON202.'