This course provides a brief introduction to game theory. Our main goal is to understand the basic ideas behind the key concepts in game theory, such as equilibrium, rationality, and cooperation. The course uses very little mathematics, and it is ideal for those who are looking for a conceptual introduction to game theory.
Offered By
Welcome to Game Theory
The University of Tokyo
About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
25%
started a new career after completing these courses
35%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
25%
got a pay increase or promotion
Skills you will gain
Nash EquilibriumGame TheoryStrategic Planning
Learner Career Outcomes
25%
started a new career after completing these courses
35%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
25%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
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Flexible deadlines
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Beginner Level
Approx. 11 hours to complete
Suggested: 3-4 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
4 hours to complete
Why Do We Need Game Theory, and What Does it Tell Us?
Is it possible to analyze a wide variety of social and economic problems using a unified framework? In the first module, we address this question. We will see that the concept of rational decision making is useful, but it is not quite sufficient to provide governing principles. Motivated examples and some history of game theory will be provided. You will also be asked to play a simple card game to see how it feels to make your decisions strategically.
4 hours to complete
12 videos (Total 91 min), 6 readings, 5 quizzes
12 videos
1-1 What is Game Theory?8m
1-2 Modelling Social Problems as a "Game"12m
1-3 In Search for the Governing Principle10m
1-4 Concerns About a Mathematical Theory of Human Behavior7m
1-5 Let's Play a Game6m
Card Game Tutorial (No Audio)2m
1-6 John Nash Discovered the Governing Principle6m
1-7 Nash Equilibrium9m
1-8 Traffic Game in Reality7m
1-9 Location Game6m
1-10 Policies of Two Parties10m
6 readings
Course Description10m
Syllabus10m
Card Game Challenge Instruction10m
(Supplementary Reading Material) Convergence to Nash Equilibrium in the Traffic Game10m
About Optional Challenge Problems2m
Supplemental explanation for Question 1, 2 and 310m
5 practice exercises
Practice Quiz 1.12m
Practice Quiz 1.24m
Practice Quiz 1.32m
Graded Quiz 114m
Module 1 Optional Challenge Problems1h
3 hours to complete
Understanding Nash equilibrium
The basic solution concept of game theory is Nash equilibrium. In Module 2, we try to understand this central concept through various examples and ask the following crucial question: how do players come to play a Nash equilibrium?
3 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 89 min), 1 reading, 5 quizzes
10 videos
2-2 Coordination Game and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy9m
2-3 Market Competition11m
2-4 Why Do People Come to Play Nash Equilibrium? Part I7m
2-5 Why Do People Come to Play Nash Equilibrium? Part II7m
2-6 Why Do People Come to Play Nash Equilibrium? Part III7m
2-7 Stylized Facts and Nash Equilibrium5m
2-8 Make Yourself Unpredictable: Mixed Strategy Equilibrium7m
2-9 Sports Games and Game Theory10m
2-10 Nash Equilibrium Exists in All Games11m
1 reading
About Optional Challenge Problems2m
5 practice exercises
Practice Quiz 2.14m
Practice Quiz 2.24m
Practice Quiz 2.34m
Graded Quiz 214m
Module 2 Optional Challenge Problems1h
4 hours to complete
Rationality, Knowledge, and Evolution in Games
In Module 3, we will dig deeper into the relationship between rationality and Nash equilibrium. We will consider the whole spectrum of possible intellectual capacities of players, spanning the range from unlimited ability for sophisticated reasoning to absolute zero intelligence. In the end, you will see that Nash equilibrium can emerge under a fairly wide range of intellectual capacities of players.
4 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 94 min), 3 readings, 5 quizzes
9 videos
3-2 Digression: How You Played the Card Game and Addressing the Concerns about Game Theory15m
3-3 “Payoffs” in a Game: What Exactly Are Those Numbers?9m
3-4 What Does it Mean That a Player is Rational?6m
3-5 Domination: Strategies That Are “Obviously Good or Bad”10m
3-6 Common Knowledge of Rationality10m
3-7 Low Rationality: What Happens if Players Are Not Very Smart?7m
3-8 Game Theory Under Zero-Intelligence: Biological Evolution10m
3-9 Fig Wasps Play a Nash Equilibrium11m
3 readings
Aggregated Result of the Card Game Challenge10m
About Optional Challenge Problems2m
Supplemental explanation for Question 2, 3 and 410m
5 practice exercises
Practice Quiz 3.12m
Practice Quiz 3.24m
Practice Quiz 3.34m
Graded Quiz 314m
Module 3 Optional Challenge Problems1h 20m
4 hours to complete
Sustaining Cooperation
The final module is devoted to the most important and most general message of game theory: rational behavior quite often leads to a socially undesirable outcome. We will first try to understand the basic reason for this, and then see how this insight of game theory has made fundamental impacts in the natural and social sciences. Finally, we will learn some general methods to overcome this problem.
4 hours to complete
11 videos (Total 123 min), 2 readings, 5 quizzes
11 videos
4-2 Why is Group Rationality Different From Rationality of Individuals?10m
4-3 Group Rationality vs. Rationality of Individuals in Biological Evolution11m
4-4 Group Rationality vs. Rationality of Individuals in Social Thought11m
4-5 How to Enforce Socially Desirable Outcomes13m
4-6 Cooperation of gas Stations in Long-Term Relationship Part I: Need For Cooperation12m
4-7 Cooperation of Gas Stations in Long-Term Relationship Part II: Mechanism of Cooperation11m
4-8 Reputation and Brand Name10m
4-9 Cooperation in Loosely Knit Organization14m
4-10 Summary of the Course13m
Final Message from the Instructor4m
2 readings
(Supplementary Reading Material) Why People Discount Future Payoff ?10m
About Optional Challenge Problems2m
5 practice exercises
Practice Quiz 4.12m
Practice Quiz 4.22m
Practice Quiz 4.32m
Graded Quiz 414m
Module 4 Optional Challenge Problems1h 20m
Reviews
4.7
TOP REVIEWS FROM WELCOME TO GAME THEORY
by TSDec 17, 2016
Rather philosophical then mathematical. An accumulation of simple, but essential and interesting reflections on what game theory is and how it relates to reality. Thank you, it was very enjoyable!
by LLJan 19, 2016
This is a very good introduction to game theory having never before studied this subject I have found that the Lectures are easy to understand and flow very well from one to the other.
by LYDec 16, 2017
Simple to follow, focuses on introducing basic concepts rather than the math. Could be more in-depth though. Nonetheless, great precursor to the Game Theory course from Stanford.
by RRDec 24, 2017
i would have liked to see some applications of game theory in politics , it focused sufficiently on economical and sociological situation s but lacked any focus on politics.
by TKOct 15, 2017
Great introductory course. It's a bit light on math but the focus is clearly on understanding general concepts and principles of game theory. Both are very well explained.
by VVAug 11, 2016
This course is very interesting, it helps to understand basic knowledge in game theory) And it's also easy to understand, because of available explanations of material.
by BAApr 26, 2017
Un excelente curso para cualquier estudiante de economía e incluso de políticas y estadística. ¡Me ayuda a reforzar mis conocimientos en Negocios Internacionales!
by SBApr 3, 2016
This course is an interesting course. Game theory is applicable in all the fields. Having a strong foundation in game theory is advantageous in the 21st century.
by SSAug 6, 2017
Very good course for initial understanding of Game theory. The course structure can be improved to practice more payoff diagrams which appear in the quizzes.
by AJJan 19, 2020
Very good course for absolute beginners! Very easy to understand and relate to. I would recommend to others as well. Thank you so much for this course!
by WHMay 31, 2017
It is interesting and easy to understand. Well, a bit too easy I would say. I can answer half of the questions without listening to the lectures even.
by AAApr 5, 2016
It was a great learning experience! I would like to thank Coursera team and University of Tokyo from developing such an insightful course.
Offered by
The University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo was established in 1877 as the first national university in Japan. As a leading research university, UTokyo offers courses in essentially all academic disciplines at both undergraduate and graduate levels and conducts research across the full spectrum of academic activity.
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