Catalog Description: The class provides an introduction to algorithmic questions in economic design. The class will cover problems of public goods and social choice, as well as allocative questions and private consumption. The focus is on normative questions: From the perspective of social goals, these are efficiency, fairness, and equity. In terms of private goals, the focus is on revenue maximization. The course will cover voting, fair division, pricing and market mechanisms. There is an emphasis on the algorithmic questions that arise naturally in economic design.

Units: 4

Prerequisites: Students should be comfortable with formal mathematical proofs, and will be expected to write proofs on their own.

Formats:
Spring: 3.0 hours of lecture and 1.0 hours of discussion per week
Fall: 3.0 hours of lecture and 1.0 hours of discussion per week

Grading basis: letter

Final exam status: Written final exam conducted during the scheduled final exam period

Also listed as: ECON C147


Class Schedule (Spring 2025):
CS C177 – MoWeFr 09:00-09:59, Etcheverry 3108 – Federico Manuel Echenique