AØKK08129U Seminar: Behavioral Economics in Action

Volume 2016/2017
Education

MSc programme in Economics
The seminar is primarily for students at the MSc of Economics

Content

Over the last 30 years, psychologists and economists have gained a deeper understanding of what motivates people, how they process information, and what non-economic features of the choice environment influence decisions. This seminar builds on this recent work of behavioral economics and allows the student to develop a hands-on approach and learn how the context can be modified to “nudge” choice. Emphasis will be on presenting and discussing specific topics in this literature: for instance, health and well-being, saving and spending, dishonesty and behavioral economics of education.

Learning Outcome
  • Students review the most recent finding of behavioral economics and apply them to public policy.
  • Student identify the causes of a specific irrational behavior and analyze the consequences of this behavior for the society.
  • Students design (or conduct) experiments and policy interventions aiming at ameliorate societal well-being and improve people’s life.
Literature

Sunstein, Cass and Thaler, Richard (2008). Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness. Yale University Press.

Ly, K., Mazar, N., Zhao, M., Soman, D.; (2013) A Practitioner's Guide to Nudging; Research Report Series, Rotman School of Management.

Madrian Brigitte C. (2014) Applying Insights from Behavioral Economics to Policy Design. Annu. Rev. Econ. 2014. 6:30.1–30.26

Egan M. (2013) Nudge Database. Stirling Behavioural Science Blog.

A number of journal articles on specific topics.

This seminar does not require any previous knowledge of behavioral economics but the course Science of Behavior Change is strongly recommended. The references reported above introduce to the topic. However, students should have some basic knowledge of microeconomics, statistics and econometrics (basic courses taught at BA level).
Planning/start-up meeting, research and writing process of the seminar paper, sessions with presentation of own paper and critical evaluation/feedback to another student´s paper, actively participating in discussions at class.

Before the session a "so-finalized-as-possible"-draft of the paper must be uploaded in Absalon. After the presentations, the student submit an edited version of the paper in the Digital Exam portal as the final exam paper. The aim is that students use the presentation sessions as an opportunity to receive and use the constructive feedback to improve the paper.
Schedule:

- Planning meeting: February 8, 2017 from 13:00 to 15:00
- Extra days of teaching/supervision: students have the possibility to attend a weekly
meeting where they can interact with other students and scholars interested in behavioral
economics (TRIBE, more info here: https:/​/​sites.google.com/​site/​tribecopenhagen)
- Presentations/Workshops: May 16 to 18, 2017

Venue will be available before the semester begins.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Project work
  • 200
  • Seminar
  • 6
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination
- a seminar paper in English.
Exam registration requirements

Attendance in all activities at the seminar as stated in the formal requrements in the Curriculum and at the KUnet for seminars (UK) and Kunet for seminars (DK).

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
- up to 20 % censorship
Exam period

Spring 2017:

Deadline for submitting the commitment paper: March 1, 2017 at 10 AM

Presentation days: May 16 to 18, 2017

Deadline for submitting the seminar paper: May 29, 2017 at 10 AM

Autumn 2016:

Deadline for submitting the commitment paper: October 1, 2016

Presentation days: November 23 and 24, 2016

Deadline for submitting the seminar paper is December 5, 2016 at 10 AM

 

For enrolled students more information about examination, exam/re-sit, rules etc. is available at the student intranet for Examination (English) and student intranet for Examination (KA-Danish).

Re-exam

A written paper as stated in the  Curriculum and at the KUnet for seminars (UK) and Kunet for seminars (DK). 

According to the Curriculum the form of the re-sit exam has been changed from September 1, 2016 to a “Written seminar re-sit paper” of 7,5 ECTS within the same subject area as the seminar. There is no longer an oral exam and an earlier non-passed seminar paper cannot be used as a re-sit paper.

Criteria for exam assesment

The student must in a satisfactory way demonstrate that he/she has mastered the learning outcome of the course and the objectives stated in the Curriculum.