Universität Wien

040122 KU Topics in Behavioral and Experimental Economics (MA) (2021W)

8.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
GEMISCHT
Moodle

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 50 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

Update [Nov. 11]: The class will move online until further notice!

Covid-19 comments [Sep. 13]: Ideally, the course will be held in presence and students are encouraged to come to the classroom (if they feel safe to do so). The precise format will, however, depend on the precise number of students attending and Covid-rules in Autumn. IN PARTICULAR, IT WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO FULLY ATTEND THE COURSE ONLINE (ONLY).
[The course is also open to PhD students]

  • Freitag 01.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 07.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 08.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 14.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 15.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 21.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 22.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 28.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 29.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 04.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 05.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 11.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 12.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 18.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 19.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 25.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 26.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 02.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 03.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 09.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 10.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 16.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 17.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 07.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 13.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 14.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 20.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 21.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Donnerstag 27.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Freitag 28.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

Behavioral and experimental economics is a vibrant field of research which sheds new light on many old and important issues in economics. Broadly speaking, behavioral and experimental economics tries to incorporate insights from psychology (and other fields) to better explain human behavior in economic interaction. The goal of the course is to give students an overview of this area.
We will look both at questions of basic research and more applied investigations that directly speak to issues that are currently in the political debate. Regarding basic research, we will consider two main topics: Fairness and bounded rationality. Related questions, we try to answer are:
Fairness/Altruism: Are people generally altruistic or selfish? Given some evidence for altruism, how robust is this kind of behavior? Do people really want to help others or do they only want to be seen as altruistic?; bounded rationality: How rational are people? Why are people making plans they cannot fulfill? Will people vote for a rational policy change if the benefits are in the future?
Regarding more applied behavioral research, a broader range of topic will be considered. Among them: global warming, populism and anti-migration sentiments, corona crisis. Generally, we will ask whether behavioral economics can help us better understand the problems. Related questions:
Corona: How can the risk of a second wave be minimized? What strategies do behavioral scientist suggest to mitigate the problem? Environment: Why is it so difficult to combat global warming? Does behavioral economics have a solution how the underlying free-riding problem can be solved? Populism/Migration: Why has populism (e.g. Brexit, Trump) been on the rise lately? According to behavioral insights, how should (efficiency-enhancing) migration be organized to ensure that natives support it?

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

Overall, there will be 24 “meetings” (either classroom or online, as well as some online material). The general idea of the course is that we will read and discuss academic papers in most of these meetings. This will give you the chance to practice your presenting (and potentially writing) skills. In our first meeting, I will present a list of papers. Each student selects one (or more) papers that s/he reads more carefully and provides a short introductory presentation (about 15min). Afterwards, we discuss questions of methodology as well as questions on context and interpretation.
We will discuss grading during the first lecture. But the general idea is the following. There are three elements (with 1/3 weight each):
- 1) Participation: Attendance in class (or online) (with reasonable exceptions and depending on circumstances – see below) and contributions to the class discussion
- 2) Introductory presentation: of one paper of your choice (in classroom, online or as a pre-prepared podcast)
- 3) Performance criterion 3 will depend on the precise number of students participating but the idea is to give those students who intend to write their Master thesis in the coming 1-2 semester a chance to do some preparations for that and to further foster the presenting/writing skills for others.
If you receive a passing grade in all three elements, you pass the course. If there is any need at all, there may also be a chance to do some further work (e.g. another presentation) to improve/substitute one of the three (sub)grades.

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

Some knowledge in basic game-theoretic concepts and basic microeconomics is required. While some knowledge in experimental and behavioral economics is also helpful, interest in one of those two areas will be sufficient.

Prüfungsstoff

As indicated above, there will not be a midterm or final exam. Students are mainly expected to learn to read and discuss a paper and, most importantly, improve their presenting (and possibly writing) skills.

Literatur

As indicated above, there will not be a midterm or final exam. Students are mainly expected to learn to read and discuss a paper and, most importantly, improve their presenting (and possibly writing) skills.

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Letzte Änderung: Fr 12.05.2023 00:12