Unit Outline

In both our personal and work lives we regularly encounter 'games': that is, situations where our actions affect the others we interact with, and vice versa. Game Theory provides a framework to discuss and analyse these types of strategic interactions. It provides a modern language to important issues in business, economics, political science, sociology, philosophy and ethics, socio-biology and law. In this unit, you will be introduced to the central elements of game theory. You will learn about thinking strategically and its benefits in a variety of strategic settings and for many different applications. We will discuss how people might be expected to act in a variety of games and identify the best response to that behaviour.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:

1	Identify strategic interaction in a variety of settings and formally model them as games.
2	Apply game theory as an analytical tool to solve the games with an aim to predict outcomes.
3	Evaluate the application of game theoretic models/analysis and provide solutions for problems faced by business managers and policy makers.
4	Communicate economic analysis and arguments in both written and oral forms.

Requisites

REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	BEA236

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To Be Determined

Teaching arrangements

ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Workshop	Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1	1	Once only
	Lecture (Online)	Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week	1	Weekly
	Workshop	2-hr workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2	2	Weekly
	Other	5-hrs independent learning	5	Weekly
Online	Online Class	Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1	1	Once only
	Independent Learning	Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week	1	Weekly
	Online Class	1-hr workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2	1	Weekly
	Independent Learning	5-hrs independent learning	5	Weekly

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics regularly hosts Masterclasses and Industry Engagement and Employability Events, which students are encouraged to attend. Registration and details will be available via the College of Business and Economics channel on the Uni App and/or via your Unit Coordinator. 

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule

ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Case Studies	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Take-Home Assignment (X2)	Refer to Assessment Description	60 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Case Studies

Task Description:

This is a group task (group size of 2), where each group will be required to produce three interrelated outputs using concepts covered in Lectures 1 to 7: (i) an analysis plan (5 percent) (ii) the written analysis (25 percent) and a brief presentation (5 percent). Group members will also submit an individual reflection on how the team worked together. This task builds on the skills developed in Lectures and Workshops and allows students to revise the contents of Lectures 1 to 7, reflect on the concepts covered and most importantly develop skills in applying these concepts to cases of their choice from the real world. The task also encourages students to think critically about economic and policy issues. Detailed guidelines will be posted in MyLO.

Analysis plan due by Week 6
Written Analysis and Presentation due in Week 12

Task Length:

500-750 words for the analysis plan; 1500-2000 words for the written analysis; 5 minutes for the presentation; 500 words for the individual reflection.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Solve games using appropriate solution strategies and for appropriate equilibria.	LO2
2	Interpret solutions to games in the context of the realworld problems to which the games are being applied.	LO2
3	Present well-reasoned arguments using the tools of game theory.	LO3
4	Analyse and provide context to discrepancies between predictions and observed behaviour in a variety of settings.	LO3
5	Effectively communicate economic arguments using data, statistical and theoretical evidence.	LO4
6	Effectively manage group work to produce good written and oral outputs	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Take-Home Assignment (X2)

Task Description:

Each take-home assignment will be a 12-hour open-book assessment covering materials from parts of the course preceding the assignment. There will be 2-6 questions (with multiple parts) that students will have to answer. The total mark for each test is 30% yielding a total of 60% of the final grade
The assessment will be available online on MyLO on a specified date. Students will have 12 hours to complete the assessment. Announcements and reminders will be made to ensure students are aware of the assessment start and due dates.

Task Length:

12 hours for each assignment.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

60 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Define and interpret key concepts used in game theory and strategic interaction in general.	LO1
2	Identify and describe how game theory is applied to analysis many different issues in a variety of settings.	LO1
3	Construct games from a narrative description of strategic interaction in economics, business, political science, health and in a variety of other settings.	LO2
4	Solve games using appropriate solution strategies and for appropriate equilibria.	LO2
5	Interpret solutions to games in the context of the real-world problems to which the games are being applied.	LO2
6	Present well-reasoned arguments using the tools of game theory.	LO2
7	Describe how predictions from applying game theory can be tested	LO3
8	Analyse and provide context to discrepancies between predictions and observed behaviour in a variety of settings.	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

You will need the following text as most of the lecture materials are based on this.

Dixit, A. K., Skeath, S., & McAdams, D. (2020). Games of Strategy: Fifth International Student Edition. WW Norton & Company.

For each week’s Lecture, relevant chapters of this book will be specified along with readings from other sources for students who want to delve further into topics. These will be listed in MyLO. Students are expected to read the specific book chapter and view the online videos before coming to Workshops.

Recommended reading materials

The following books are not required for the unit, but provide readers with a more thorough understanding of game theory with real-life applications.

Dixit, A. K., & Nalebuff, B. (2008). The art of strategy: a game theorist's guide to success in business & life. WW Norton & Company.

Spaniel, W. (2014). Game theory 101: the complete textbook. CreateSpace.

Other required resources