Mini-Courses

Each year, the CMS-EMS and CET invite to campus distinguished scholars to give mini-courses on a topic of current interest. These mini-courses are open to all members of the Northwestern community as well as visitors from other Colleges and Universities. There are two "teachers" in the Spring 2013 series: John List, Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, and Álvaro José Riascos Villegas, Professor of Economics at Universidad de los Andes and Executive, Quantil.

Álvaro J.R. Villegas's mini-course: Logic and Game Theory

3 lectures starting May 20

Description:

There is a long tradition in mathematical logic (at least since Hintikka in the 1950s) of using games as a way of defining truth of mathematical sentences. This is an alternative approach to the classical compositional semantics definition of truth due to Tarski. Besides a few very preliminary research topics in which the author has been working we shall discuss informally the main ideas of this literature: the semantic game, the separation game and the model existence game in propositional, first order and IF logic. The idea is that by learning how logicians have used game theory for the advancement of mathematical logic, we can gain insights and learn some basic tools that may be useful for studying the logic and language of game theory.

Monday, May 20
12:00-1:15
Jacobs G43

Slides

Introduction to games in logic: (1) The semantic game in predicative, first order and IF logic. (2) The separation game in first order logic. (3). The model existence game in first order logic.

Tuesday, May 21
12:00-1:15
Jacobs G43

Slides

On falsiability and empirical content: a discussion based on Chambers, Echenique and Shmaya (2013): The Axiomatic Structure of Empirical Content.

Wednesday, May 22
12:00-1:15
Jacobs 101

Slides

Research topics: (1) A formalization of the problem of identification in General Equilibrium (2) The logic of rational play.

References

Lecture Notes on Games and Logic. Tulemheimo, T (2007). Department of Philosophy, University of Helsinki.

Models and Games.  Vaananen, J (2011). Cambridge University Press.

Independence Friendly Logic: A Game Theoretic Approach. Mann, A., Sandu, G., Sevenster, M. 2011. Cambridge University Press.

Equilibrium semantics of languages of imperfect information. Sandu, G., Sevenster, M. 2010. Annals of Pure and Applied Logic.

Chambers, Echenique and Shmaya (2013): The Axiomatic Structure of Empirical Content.

John List's Mini-Course: "Field Experiments in Economics"
May 13, 14 and 15

Content: The course presents lectures on how to use field experiments in economics and summarizes recent research. It will consist of three lectures over three days.

The Syllabus contains the reading lists for each of the lectures.

Outline of the course

Monday, May 13
12:00-1:15
Jacobs G42

Introduction to field experiments in economics, randomization, and simple rules of thumb for design

Tuesday, May 14
12:00-1:15
Jacobs G42

The Economics of Charitable Giving

Wednesday, May 15
1:30-2:45
Accounting Dept.  seminar room (6234 Jacobs)

Audience Choice: 

1. Field Experiments in education
2. On why men are paid more than women
3. On using field experiments in firms
4. Using field experiments to understand the economics of crime