Economy and Society II-E2
| Numbering Code | U-LAS06 10015 LE43 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Second semester | |
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| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | Seminar | |
| Target Year | Mainly 2nd year students | Target Student | For liberal arts students | |
| Language | English | Day/Period | ||
| Instructor name | Not fixed (Kyoto University) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course |
This course is a "Great books" seminar that discusses the book "Convention: A Philosophical Study" by David Lewis. This book, one of the greatest game theoretic texts of the 20th Century, provides insight into (i) the formation of conventions (e.g. the understandings that cars drive on the left of the road in Japan, but on the right of the road in China); (ii) hierarchies of beliefs (e.g. I know that you know that I know that Alice has red hair); and (iii) signalling and language (conventions that involve information transmission). The purpose of the course is to come to a thoughtful, nuanced understanding of this text. |
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| Course Goals |
~ To read, understand and critique "Convention: A Philosophical Study" by David Lewis. ~ To improve critical reading skills. ~ To prepare students for further analytical work in game theory, economics, sociology or philosophy. |
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| Schedule and Contents |
Each week a chapter or part of a chapter will be discussed in class. It is essential that before attending class you read the relevant chapters and articles and watch the online lectures provided. The course consists of the following topics, each of which will be covered in approximately 3 hours of class time: 1. Coordination problems 2. What is a convention? 3. Common knowledge. 4. Knowledge and conventions. 5. Formation of conventions. 6. Signaling. 7. Language and convention. Total： Approximately 14 classes, 1 Feedback session (i.e. 15 lectures per semester, excluding examinations). The course yields two credits. |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy | Grading will predominantly (70-100%) be based on class presentations and discussion of ideas. Up to 30% may be based on tests taken in class throughout the semester. | |||
| Course Requirements |
Students are required to have the English and logical skills required to read the assigned texts, attend class and participate in discussion. Students MUST have a copy of the book (either a hard copy or an electronic copy) as it will be used from the very beginning of the course. |
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| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | The assigned chapters of the book, as well as any other readings assigned in class, should be read each week. | |||
| Textbooks | Textbooks/References | Convention: a philosophical study, David Lewis, (Blackwell), ISBN:978-0631237525 | ||
