Calendar

LEC # TOPICS DESCRIPTIONS KEY DATES
I. Games of Complete Information
1 Normal Form Games I

This session covers dominant strategies, pure strategies, mixed strategies, and Nash equilibrium.

Examples include the prisoners' dilemma, battle of the sexes, matching pennies, and chicken.

2 Normal Form Games II

This session covers continuous strategy spaces.

Examples include the duopoly, and spatial electoral competition.

Problem set 1 due five days after lecture 2
3 Normal Form Games III

This session covers more than two players.

Examples include "truel," oligopoly, and tragedy of the commons.

Problem set 2 due
4 Normal Form Games IV Examples include rent-seeking, lobbying, and resource allocation. Problem set 3 due
5 Extensive Form Games I

This session covers backwards induction, and subgame perfect equilibrium.

Examples include the centipede game, the Stackelberg duopoly, and legislative rules.

Problem set 4 due
6 Extensive Form Games II Examples include 2-player sequential bargaining, and bargaining in legislatures. Problem set 5 due three days after lecture 6
7 Extensive Form Games III Examples include sophisticated voting and agenda control. Problem set 6 due
8 Repeated Games Examples include the development of cooperation, and overlapping generations. Problem set 7 due
II. Games of Incomplete Information
9 Normal Form Games This session covers Bayesian Nash equilibrium.

Examples include the battle of the sexes again, auctions, and the revelation principle.
Problem set 8 due
10 Extensive Form Games I This session covers perfect Bayesian equilibrium.

Examples include signaling games and nuclear deterrence.
Problem set 9 due
11 Extensive Form Games II Examples include cheap talk and the informational role of committees. Problem set 10 due
12 Extensive Form Games III Examples include the reputations. Problem set 11 due