EGMT 1520: Gaming the Competition

Why do some countries cooperate while others go to war? How do businesses compete without destroying each other? Why do people vote—or choose not to? Game theory helps us make sense of these kinds of strategic decisions, from everyday choices to high-stakes global politics. In this course, we’ll explore the logic behind decision-making in competitive and cooperative situations. We’ll study classic ideas like the prisoner’s dilemma, the tragedy of the commons, and how people and groups respond to risks and rewards. We’ll apply these concepts to real-world topics like elections, diplomacy, business, evolution, and even how universities build their budgets. We’ll also ask where game theory falls short—can it really explain human behavior, or do emotions, ethics, and irrational choices get in the way? Through discussions, case studies, and hands-on games, students will build a toolkit for understanding strategic thinking in the world around them. No math or prior experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to think about how people (and nations, companies, and even animals) make choices.