AØKK08129U Seminar: Behavioral Economics in Action
The seminar is primarily for students at the MSc of Economics
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 use behavioral economics to change people behavior. Emphasis will be on presenting and discussing specific topics in this literature: for instance, applications on health, education, dishonesty, environment, charitable giving, voting, saving and spending.
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
- review the most recent findings of behavioral economics and how to apply them to public policy.
Skills:
- identify the causes of a specific irrational behavior and analyze the consequences of this behavior for the society.
Competencies:
- design (or conduct) experiments and policy interventions aiming at ameliorate societal well-being and improve people’s life.
Books (some more technical than others):
Ariely, D. (2010). The upside of irrationality.
Cialdini, R. B. (2006). Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.
List, J., & Gneezy, U. (2014). The why axis: Hidden motives and the undiscovered economics of everyday life.
Dhami, S. (2016). The Foundations of Behavioral Economic Analysis.
Kling, J. R., Congdon, W. J., & Mullainathan, S. (2011). Policy and choice: public finance through the lens of behavioral economics.
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow.
Thaler, R. H., & Sunstein, C. R. (2008). Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness.
Articles/reports:
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.
Note: More specific papers will be suggested once the students have decided the topic of their seminar paper.
The student should have a sound knowledge of Behavioral and Experimental Economics.
The students should also have a basic knowledge of microeconomics, statistics and econometrics (basic courses taught at BA level).
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.
Autumn 2017:
• Kick-off meeting: September 8, 2017, from 13:00 to 15:00
• Deadline of commitment paper: not later than October 1 at 10 AM
• Deadline of pre-paper upload in Absalon: A week before the presentations
• Presentations/Workshops: November 21-23
Students have the possibility to attend a weekly meeting where they can interact with other students and scholars interested in behavioral economics (more info here: https://sites.google.com/site/tribecopenhagen).
Spring 2018:
• Kick-off meeting: February 5, 2018, from 13:00 to 15:00
• Deadline of commitment paper: not later than March 1 at 10 AM
• Deadline of pre-paper upload in Absalon: A week before the presentations
• Presentations/Workshops: May 22-24, 2018
Students have the possibility to attend a weekly meeting where they can interact with other students and scholars interested in behavioral economics (more info here: https://sites.google.com/site/tribecopenhagen).
- Category
- Hours
- Project work
- 186
- Seminar
- 20
- Total
- 206
for enrolled students. More information about registration, schedule, rules, curricula etc. can be found at the intranet for Master students (UK) and Master students (DK).
More information about seminars is available at the intranet for Seminars (UK) and Seminars (DK).
Read about the study programme and curricula at MSc in Economics
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written examination- a seminar paper in English that meets the formal requirements for written papers stated in the curriculum and at KUNet for seminars.
_____ - 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) is required to participate in the exam.
_____
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- External censorship
_____
- Exam period
Autumn 2017:
Deadline for uploading the final seminar exam paper to DE: 1st of December 2017 before 10:00 AM
Spring 2018:
Deadline for uploading the final seminar exam paper to DE: 1st of June 2018 before 10:00 AM
Exam information:
For enrolled students more information about examination, rules, exam schedule etc. is available at the intranet for master students (UK) and master students (DK)
_____
- Re-exam
The reexam is a written paper as stated in the Master curriculum and at the KUnet for seminars for master students (UK) and master students (DK).
Exam information:
For enrolled students more information about re-examination, rules, re-exam schedule etc. is available at the intranet for master students (UK) and master students (DK)
Criteria for exam assesment
Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the seminar and the objectives stated in the Curriculum.
To receive the top grade, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- AØKK08129U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn And Spring
- Schedule
- and venue:
Go to "Remarks"
Exam and re-sits: Go to "Exam" - Study board
- Department of Economics, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Economics
Course Coordinators
- Marco Piovesan (marco.piovesan@econ.ku.dk)