605.724.81 - Applied Game Theory

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Basic Concepts of Game Theory
• Discussion of Potential Application Domains and Application Approaches
• Approaches, including:  Modeling, Decision Support, Algorithms, and Visualization
• Domain Specifics, including:  Business, Political Strategy, and Gaming
• Challenges and Future Directions

Course Goals

To develop an understanding of the challenges of creating and maintaining high availability systems, and the design concepts behind their creation.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Describe the problems and motivations associated with effective support to decision makers in a complex multi-player environment.
• Explain the specific information needs and technology challenges associated with providing effective decision support based on game theoretic constructs.
• Discuss the relevance of game theoretic concepts to many domains of interest to the public and private sector.
• Explain and use the fundamental concepts of decision support and game theory.
• Apply data modeling, analytic techniques and systems engineering principles to relevant domains.
• Architect and implement solutions based on the concepts studied.

Textbooks

Required

Geckil, Ilhan K. & Anderson, Patrick L., Applied Game Theory and Strategic Behavior (2010). CRC Press.

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website.

Additional readings as assigned (posted in the course).

Required Software

There are no specific software requirements beyond basic office suite capabilities (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software).

Completion of the course project may require the use of software which is freely available on the Internet.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 10–12 hours per week to complete.

This course will consist of four basic student requirements:

Preparation and Participation (Module Discussions) (280 points out of 1,000)

Each student is responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. Many of readings are from the course text. Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings.

Please carefully review supplemental discussion guidelines.

Survey Paper (100 points out of 1,000)

All assignments including your survey paper, are due according to the dates in the course modules and the Calendar. Details of this assignment appear in Modules 1 & 2.

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructor).

Evaluation criteria and grading rubric will be included with the assignment description in Modules 1 and 2.

Application Project (500 points out of 1,000)

There are five assignments in this course, which constitute the five stages (including one early draft) of an overall course project. Specific instructions will be provided for each stage separately. These stages build on one another in order to provide the background knowledge needed to complete the final deliverable.

• Stage 1 (100 pts): Project Proposal
• Stage 2 (100 pts): Assessment
• Stage 3 (100 pts): Design
• Stage 4 Draft (50 pts): Preliminary Review of Stage 5
• Stage 5 (150 pts): Final Project Deliverable

Individual assignments and quizzes: (12% of Final Grade Calculation)

1. Orientation Quiz, Module 1 (60 pts)
2. Wiki Contributions (60 pts): Meaningful contributions to the course wiki in 12 of the fourteen weeks.

Grading Policy

Student assignments are due according to the dates in the Course Outline. The instructor will post grades within one week of assignment due dates.

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.