Game Theory for Political Science I

Catalog description

This course offers foundational information regarding the use of non-cooperative game theory in political science. PL SC 506 Game Theory for Political Science I (3) This course offers foundational information regarding the use of non-cooperative game theory in political science. Game theory is a mathematical tool used to study strategic interaction in a variety of academic disciplines. Within political science, researchers who study American politics, comparative politics, and international relations use game theory to examine a broad range of political phenomena, including the outcomes of elections, the formation of governments, and the onset and duration of interstate conflict. The course introduces students to the basic concepts and principles of non-cooperative game theory, and demonstrates through examples how it can be used in the study of politics. Attention is given to both strategic (simultaneous move) and extensive form games. Topics to be covered include the concept of Nash equilibrium; mixed strategies; backward induction; subgame perfect equilibrium; incomplete information; and signaling games. The course provides students with the concepts, language, and notation needed to begin using game theory in their own research and to evaluate its application by others.