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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Model Thinking by University of Michigan

4.8
stars
2,241 ratings

About the Course

We live in a complex world with diverse people, firms, and governments whose behaviors aggregate to produce novel, unexpected phenomena. We see political uprisings, market crashes, and a never ending array of social trends. How do we make sense of it? Models. Evidence shows that people who think with models consistently outperform those who don't. And, moreover people who think with lots of models outperform people who use only one. Why do models make us better thinkers? Models help us to better organize information - to make sense of that fire hose or hairball of data (choose your metaphor) available on the Internet. Models improve our abilities to make accurate forecasts. They help us make better decisions and adopt more effective strategies. They even can improve our ability to design institutions and procedures. In this class, I present a starter kit of models: I start with models of tipping points. I move on to cover models explain the wisdom of crowds, models that show why some countries are rich and some are poor, and models that help unpack the strategic decisions of firm and politicians. The models covered in this class provide a foundation for future social science classes, whether they be in economics, political science, business, or sociology. Mastering this material will give you a huge leg up in advanced courses. They also help you in life. Here's how the course will work. For each model, I present a short, easily digestible overview lecture. Then, I'll dig deeper. I'll go into the technical details of the model. Those technical lectures won't require calculus but be prepared for some algebra. For all the lectures, I'll offer some questions and we'll have quizzes and even a final exam. If you decide to do the deep dive, and take all the quizzes and the exam, you'll receive a Course Certificate. If you just decide to follow along for the introductory lectures to gain some exposure that's fine too. It's all free. And it's all here to help make you a better thinker!...

Top reviews

JG

Apr 7, 2018

This is a great introduction to the types and uses of models. The lectures are clear, and the examples given show good applicability to real world problems. Thanks for making it available!

AA

Nov 23, 2020

very informative and insightful on how to use the various models at our disposal to take optimal decision. Also, was nostalgic to go back in time where these models were part of my university degree.

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By Ha T

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May 18, 2021

Helpful

By Trang H

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May 11, 2021

Helpful

By Балановская В М

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Dec 24, 2017

perfect

By Ai

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Dec 5, 2017

awesome

By anhltn@fsoft.com.vn

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May 18, 2021

Useful

By Dieu D

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May 18, 2021

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May 14, 2021

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By Minh N

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May 11, 2021

Useful

By Esteban G

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Apr 28, 2017

Great!

By dophuong

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Sep 30, 2022

good

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Sep 20, 2022

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Feb 18, 2020

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Nov 16, 2018

Great

By Manish K

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Jul 26, 2024

good

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Feb 14, 2023

good

By sondtp@fe.edu.vn

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Jan 4, 2022

Well

By Dario I

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Nov 1, 2021

must

By Matteo M

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Jun 18, 2021

good

By yashar k s

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Sep 11, 2017

best

By Sergio A C F

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Oct 23, 2016

good

By Bigfoot

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Jun 18, 2016

cool

By Varvara D

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Oct 30, 2018

Top

By Ana R N A

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Aug 23, 2017

...

By George B

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May 2, 2016

A+