GV4C8 Half Unit
Game Theory for Political Science
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Rafael Hortala-Vallve
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Political Science (Political Science and Political Economy). This course is available on the MRes in Political Science, MSc in Political Science (Political Behaviour) and MSc in Public Policy and Administration. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority will be given to students on the MSc in Political Science (Political Science and Political Economy) as this is a compulsory course for their programme (no written statement is required). Applicants from other programmes should write a short statement of 200 words (max) outlining the specific reasons for applying and how the course will benefit their academic/career goals.You should check that you meet any pre-requisites in the course guide before applying (where applicable). Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed.
Deadline for application: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 26 September 2025. You can expect to be informed of the outcome of your application by 12:00 noon on Monday 29 September 2025. Any places remaining after this date will be allocated based on priority and written statement - up until course selection closes.
For queries contact: gov.msc@lse.ac.uk
Students enrolled on the Political Science and Political Economy stream of the MSc in Political Science will be granted priority access as this is a compulsory course on the programme. Other postgraduates wanting to take the course (space permitting) require the permission of the teacher/s responsible.
Course content
Game theory provides a scientific approach to the study of social interactions which focusses on the strategic aspects of decision-making between two or more individuals or groups. This course will cover the basic elements of game theory and how they have been applied in the area of political science and political economy. The aim of the course is to provide a deeper understanding of game theoretic tools and to help you understand how these ideas have been developed and applied in the political science literature. The course will be divided into looking at static games where all players move simultaneously and the dynamic games where players move in sequence. We will also analyse simple settings where all information is known to all players (complete information) and then move to more complex settings where some information is not known to all players (incomplete information).
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 20 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
Mock exam in Autumn Term Week 11
Problem sets weekly
Weekly problem sets to be completed and discussed in class and a two-hour mock exam in Week 11 of AT.
Indicative reading
The core text for the course is M J Osborne, An Introduction to Game Theory, Oxford University Press 2004.
Assessment
Exam (50%), duration: 120 Minutes in the January exam period
Problem sets (25%) in Autumn Term Week 6
Problem sets (25%) in Winter Term Week 1
Key facts
Department: Government
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Keywords: Political Science, Game Theory, Political Economy
Total students 2024/25: 43
Average class size 2024/25: 14
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication