econ176

lectures and readings

Week 1: Introduction: Double Auctions and Markets in the Lab [Quiz #1 October 3, Next Monday]

Week 2: Fundamentals: The Why and How of Experiments [Quiz #2 October 5]

Week 3: Uncertainty: Experimental Decision Theory [Quiz #3 October 12]

Week 4: Conflict, Coordination and Learning: Game Theory I [Quiz #4 October 19]

Week 5 Conflict, Coordination and Learning: Game Theory II

  • Holt Chapters 24, 25, 26

Week 6: Social Preferences: Bargaining Games [Quiz #5 November 2]

Week 7: Cooperation: Public Goods Games [Quiz #7 November 9]

Week 8: One Sided Markets: Auctions [Quiz #8 November 16]

Week 9: Experimental Design and Statistics [Quiz #6 November 21, Monday]

  • Friedman 4-6; look at 7 too

Week 10: Asset Markets [Quiz #9 November 30]

  • Holt Chapter 11

[Monday, November 28: Meet in EBEL Laboratory (North Hall 2106)]

econ 176

experimental economics

Professor Ryan Oprea, Fall 2016

Economics Department, UC Santa Barbara

http://www.ryanoprea.com/econ176

This course is an introduction to the use of laboratory methods in economics for undergraduates. Much of the course will be a review of some of the more exciting things economists have discovered about markets, human rationality and human sociality through experimental inquiry. However, the course will also cover important methodological tools used in designing, running and making use of experimental data. Throughout the course you will run, participate in and analyze sample classroom experiments, exposing you to a wide variety of experimental designs.

vital information

    • Schedule: Monday and Wednesday 2:00-3:15 p.m.

    • Room: Phelp 1160

    • Office hours: Mon 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., and by appointment

    • Office: 3028 North Hall

    • Instructor Email: roprea@gmail.com

required texts

    • Markets, Games and Strategic Behavior, by Charles Holt, Addison-Wesley, 2006, (relevant chapters available as course reader in bookstore)

    • Economics Lab: An Intensive Course in Experimental Economics, by Daniel Friedman and Alessandra Cassar, Routledge, 2004.

In addition, much of this class will center around readings posted on this website. These readings are not optional or supplemental but are essential parts of the class. You are expected to read these throughout the course. It is also highly recommended that you skim these readings while finding a topic for your class project.

grading

    • Final Exam: A final exam (1/3 of your grade).

    • Reading Quizzes: Weekly reading quizzes and experiment participation (1/3 of your grade).

    • Group Experiment: An experiment run and analyzed by your group in class (1/3 of your grade).

important dates etc.

    • September 30: Paper group membership deadline -- Submit groups to me by email

    • October 3 - November 30: Quizzes and in-class experiments

    • December 5: Final exam (4-7 p.m.)