GAME THEORY

This optional course provides the basics of formal strategic reasoning, giving an introduction to game theory. The ability to represent and reason about strategic interaction is fundamental in supporting decision-making in any environment that involves elements of competition or cooperation.

The course is geared to ambitious students who are not afraid of analytical thinking.

a) Knowledge and understanding:
a.1) Ability to discern strategic interactions.
a.2) Ability to recognise dominant and dominated strategies.
a.3) Ability to conceptualize randomisation in strategic play.

b) Applying knowledge and understanding:
b.1) Ability to compute different kinds of equilibria.
b.2) Ability to build formal models for reasoning about simple strategic interactions.
b.3) Ability to handle basic notions of randomisation in strategic play.

c) Making judgements
c.1) Ability to detect and discuss trade-offs in strategic choices.
c.2) Ability to rank the plausibility of different predictions about strategic interactions.

The formal prerequisite is successful completion of the first-year course in Mathematics. Successful completion of the course in Risk and Uncertainty (or equivalent) is highly recommended.

1. Strategic interactions
2. Games in strategic form
3. Uncertainty and mixed strategies
4. Games in extensive form
5. Solution concepts
6. Economic applications
7. Bargaining
8. Repeated games

J. Watson (2013), Strategy: An Introduction to Game Theory, third edition, Norton.

Grading is based primarily on a written exam, with the possibility of an oral examination at the instructor's discretion.
The exam mainly consists of solving complex problems, requiring a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The use of notes, textbooks, or any other aids is not permitted during the exam. Failure to register for the exam is sufficient grounds for being denied admission to take it.

written and oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Regarding the grading scale:
A. Scores in the range of 18-22 will be awarded for:
- sufficient knowledge and applied understanding of the program;
- sufficient ability to solve the proposed problems;
- limited ability to explain the mathematical procedures underlying the solution of the proposed exercises.

B. Scores in the range of 23-26 will be awarded for:
- fair knowledge and applied understanding of the program;
- fair ability to solve the proposed problems;
- fair ability to explain the mathematical procedures underlying the solution of the proposed exercises.

C. Scores in the range of 27-30 will be awarded for:
- good or excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the program;
- good or excellent ability to solve the proposed problems;
- good or excellent ability to explain the mathematical procedures underlying the solution of the proposed exercises.
D. Honors will be awarded for:
- excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the program, and an outstanding ability to present and explain the solution of the exercises.

Lectures with practice sessions.

For information and updates, see the class Moodle page.

Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.