Crash Course in Experimental Economics

The course will offer an introductory overview of the field of experimental economics, combined with an in-depth analysis of some of the recent developments. These developments include the rapid growth of the closely related field of behavioral economics and the increased use of field experiments. Because experimental economics is a methodology often used to test economic theory, the course will also cover theoretical issues (more specifically, game theory), when appropriate. The topics to be covered include Experimental Methodology; Behavioral Economics (public goods, bargaining, other-regarding preferences); Industrial Organization (auctions, double auction, market power, mechanism design); Individual Decision Making (expected utility; probability weighting); and Analysis of Experimental Data.