Below is a roadmap for the semester. Note that this will inevitably change from the first day you access this course but will be updated as required.
Overview
The class is fundamentally based on lectures. The slides for the lectures can be found at the “content” page. Everything else should be relatively self-explanatory.
Content (): This page contains the lectures and recorded videos (as applicable) for the topic. These pages should be read completely. Lectures are not an exact replication of the written content; on the contrary, the lectures are intended to keep you engaged and have a great deal more information than the slides alone. Come to class.
Assignments (): This page contains the instructions for assignments. Assignments are always due before 11:59 PM (Eastern).
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Welcome |
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The Standard Model: Expected Utility |
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Evidence that Contradicts Expected Utility |
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Prospect Theory |
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Applications of Propect Theory |
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Reference-Dependent Preferences |
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08 February |
EXAM 1 |
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Warm-Up: Interest Rates, Compounding, PDV,… |
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The Standard Model: Exponential Discounting |
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Evidence that Contradicts Exponential Discounting |
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An Alternative Model: Present Bias |
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Applications of Present Bias |
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Utility from “Anticipation” |
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“Projection Bias” — Mispredicting Future Tastes |
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26 March |
EXAM 2 |
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Is “Paternalism” Acceptable or Justified? |
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Optimal Sin Taxes |
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The Standard Model: Self Interest |
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Evidence That Contradicts the Self-Interest Model |
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Theories of Social Preferences |
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Do “Intentions” Matter? |
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The Standard Model: Bayesian Information Processing |
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Evidence that Contradicts Bayesian Information Processing |
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An Alternative Model: The “Law Of Small Numbers” |
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TBD |
Final Exam |
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