Module Information

Module Identifier
EC30110
Module Title
OLIGOPOLY AND INTRODUCTION TO GAME THEORY
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
EC30220

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials 4 Hours.
Lecture 10 Hours.
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Exam 1.5 Hours   100%
Supplementary Exam 1.5 Hours   100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will have been introduced to game theoretic concepts and methods in analysing strategic behaviour, and appreciate their relevance in dealing with intera tive competition amongst firms when the behaviour of rivals must be accommodated.

Aims

This module aims to equip students with the basic models and techniques required to analyse and predict the behaviour of economic agents when there is strategic interaction between the choices they make, with particular reference to oligopoly analysis.

Brief description

This module provides an introduction to central concepts of non-cooperative game theory and illustrates their application to oligopoly.

Content

Introduction:

Oligopolistic Interdependence and Game Theory

Static (simultaneous move) Games

Dynamic (sequential move) Games

Repeated Games

Non-cooperative oligopoly models







Transferable skills

Apart from attaining and improving subject specific skills the module enables students to develop and enhance a variety of transferable skills. Attendance at lectures requires students to listen and digest material and take structured notes. Participation in tutorials involves prior preparation together with communication and presentation during class. The study sheets assist students in organising their thoughts, reading and preparation of notes and self-test accumulated knowledge as they progress through the module. All aspects of the module necessarily involve time management skills. The final examination requires rigorous preparation and assimulation of material prior to structured thought and essay writing within a fixed time period.

Reading List

Essential Reading
Carmichael, F (2005) A Guide to Game Theory FT/Prentice Hall Primo search
Recommended Text
Gibbons, R (1992) A Primer in Game Theory, Harvester Wheatsheaf Primo search Lipczynski, J, Wilson, J and Goddard, J (2005, 2e) Industrial Organization: Competition, Strategy, Policy, FT/Prentice Hall Primo search
Supplementary Text
Axelrod, R (1984) The Evolution of Co-operation, Basic Books Primo search Dixit, A K and Nalebuff, B (1991) Thinking Strategically, Norton Primo search Eaton, B C, Eaton, D F and Allen, D W (1999) Microeconomics, Prentice Hall, Ch.15 Primo search Katz, M L and Rosen, H S (3e, 1998) Microeconomics, McGraw Hill, Chs 14, 15 and 16 Primo search McMillan, J (1992) Games, Strategies and Managers, Oxford University Press Primo search Nasar, S (2001) A Beautiful Mind, (Biography of John Nash), Faber and Faber Primo search Nicholson, W (1998) Microeconomic Theory, Dryden, Chs 10, 19 and 20 Primo search Rasmusen, E (2001) Readings in Games and Information, Blackwell Primo search Shelling, T C (1980) The Strategy of Conflict, Harvard University Press Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6