NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY The City University of New York School of Arts & Sciences Department of Social Science Course Outline Course code: ECON 2820ID Course title: Behavioral Economics Class hours/credits: 3 class hours, 3 credits Prerequisite: ECON 1101 or ECON 1401; MAT 1275 or higher; PSY 1101 College Option: Interdisciplinary Catalog Description: This interdisciplinary course examines the factors that underlie the judg- ment/decision making processes of economic agents. Behavioral economics challenges the ratio- nality assumption of standard economic theory and encompasses the role of emotion, psycholog- ical biases and heuristics to understand non-rational decision making. RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK and MATERIALS* Primary text: Angner, Erik. A Course in Behavioral Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. Recommended: Thaler, Richard H., and Sunstein, Cass. Nudge. Penguin Books, 2009. Kahne- man, Daniel. Thinking Fast and Slow, Farrar, Straus and Grioux, 2011. Additional assigned readings from journals, newspaper and magazine articles. Other sources: http://nudges.org/, http://www.inudgeyou.com/decisions-into-the-future-nudg- ing-time-consistent-choices/ * The textbook used in a particular section will be chosen by the instructor. COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT METHODS: To develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of behavioral economics and how it improves the standard theory to describe human choice accurately. Specifically, course objectives include the following: LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT METHODS* 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the standard eco- 1. The midterm and final exams, which will nomic theory particularly the theory of rational choice include essay questions, will test students’ un- under certainty and uncertainty. derstanding of the standard economic theory. 2. Critically evaluate the rational choice theory using 2. Class discussions of assigned articles and other sup- real-world examples, and provide examples on how plementary readings, and experiments conducted in heuristics can lead to systematic errors and biases in class. decision making.` 3. Demonstrate an understanding of how behavioral 3. Both exams and class discussions will help students economics incorporates psychological factors into to grasp rational choice theory and prospect theory. Ex- standard theories to adequately describe human choice, tensive use and variety of real-world examples will help and to improve the predictive power of economic theo- students to understand the additions of prospect theory ries. to the standard economic theory. 4. Develop an understanding of how behavioral eco- 4. Class discussions, in-class experiments, and assign- nomics can be used to improve individual decision ments that point out deviations from rationality in deci- making in different spheres of life, and how it can be sion making, and how decisions can be improved. Class used in economic policy making. discussions on welfare-enhancing policy proposals by behavioral economists, and video presentations by lead- ing figures in the field which will help students under- stand how behavioral economics can be used to design sound economic policies. GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT METHODS LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT METHODS* 1. KNOWLEDGE: Understanding this relatively new 1. Class discussions, assignments and exams that test sub-discipline of economics, and how predictive understanding of key concepts and that require stu- power of its theories can be used in economic policy dents to express their understanding in writing. making. Understanding whether people make poor choices and they could be helped to make better choices. 2. SKILLS: By taking advantage of comparative 2.Completion of essay questions on assignments and framework used in the classroom, develop an ability exams; class discussions of questions tied to topics to critically evaluate different theories of decision covered in class and to supplemental short readings, making. Identify the role of heuristics and deviations and articles on timely relevant issues where students from rationality when making decisions in every analyze, evaluate and consider policy options. sphere of life. Develop and strengthen the ability to discuss concepts and thoughts in writing. 3. INTEGRATION: Students should be able to apply 3. Class discussions and experiments held in the class- the concepts and theories presented in the course to room will help students to identify any deviations from various decision problems they might encounter out- rationality. side the classroom. 4. VALUES, ETHICS, AND RELATIONSHIPS: 4. In-class group assignments that Work creatively with others in group problem solv- encourage student discussion and sharing of ideas and ing. perspectives. * may vary slightly per instructor to suit their own needs SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENTS and other course requirements* Students will be asked to work on and turn several mandatory homework assignments consisting of questions which are designed to help them better understand the concepts covered in the class- room. There will be two in-term exams, plus a Final Exam. Student participation in class discus- sions is very important and it will count towards 15% of the final grade. METHOD OF GRADING – elements and weight of factors determining the students’ grade* First exam (Warm-up) 10% Second exam 15% Homework assignments 30% Final exam 30% In-class assignments; individual/group discussion; 15% class participation; attendance *Scope of Assignments and Method of Grading to be determined at discretion of the instructor. CITYTECH GRADE POINTS: A 93-100 B 83-86.9 D 60-69.9 A- 90-92.9 B- 80-82.9 F 59.9 below B+ 87-89.9 C+ 77-79.9 WU Unofficial Withdrawal ATTENDANCE POLICY It is the conviction of the Department of Social Science that a student who is not in a class for any reason is not receiving the benefit of the education being provided. Missed class time in- cludes not just absences but also latenesses, early departures, and time outside the classroom tak- en by students during class meeting periods. Missed time impacts any portion of the final grade overtly allocated to participation and/or any grades awarded for activities that relate to presence in class. Instructors may including a reasonable “Participation” grade into their final grade calculations for this course. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY STATEMENT Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, credit- ing, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic in- tegrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infrac- tions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City Universi- ty of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, in- cluding failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. The complete text of the College policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the catalog. STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies, and testing ac- commodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reason- able accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state, and/ or city laws. You may also request services for temporary conditions or medical issues under cer- tain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility and/or would like to seek ac- commodation services and/or academic adjustments, please email the Student Accessibility Cen- ter. COMMITMENT TO STUDENT DIVERSITY The Department of Social Science complies with the college wide nondiscrimination policy and seek to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity in its many forms and enhances our students’ ability to be informed, global citizens. Through our example, we demonstrate an appreciation of the rich diversity of world cultures and the unique forms of expression that make us human. SAMPLE SEQUENCE OF TOPICS AND TIME ALLOCATIONS* Week 1: What is behavioral economics? • Will be taught by an economist, and a psychologist. • The “Rational Man” assumption in standard economic theory and Bounded Ratio- nality in Choice. (homo economicus vs. Humans) • Standard economic theory as a normative theory rather than a descriptive theory. • Introduce behavioral economics as a descriptive theory, and that it attempts to de- scribe human choice behavior without ruling out irrational choice behavior. Assigned readings: 1) Angner, Introduction, pgs. 3-8. 2) Kahneman, Introduction, pgs. 3-15; Additional reading: Angner, Erik and Loewenstein, George (2012). “Behavioral Economics” in Uskali Maki, ed., Handbook of the Philosophy of Science: Philosophy of Economics, Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 641-90. Week 2: The theory of rational choice under Certainty. • Will be taught by an economist. • Introducing the theory of rational choice with a focus on consumer’s choice prob- lem. • Defining rational preferences, listing and explaining the axioms that preferences of a consumer must follow. • Introducing indifference curves, budget set, utility, and choice under certainty. Assigned readings: Angner, Ch