MGRECON 784
The Art and Application of Game Theory
David L. McAdams
Description from DukeHub
This course offers a radical departure from the traditional approach to 'game theory for business'. Where others teach about rationality, dominant strategies, and Nash equilibrium, this pathbreaking course explores the strategic implications of irrationality, reveals four distinct ways NOT to play dominant strategies, and casts a critical eye on the equilibrium paradigm. You will emerge from this class a deeper strategic thinker, readier to seize upon opportunities for strategic advantage in the games you play. Important application areas range from economics and strategy (e.g. price wars) to finance (e.g. liquidity in asset markets) to entrepreneurship (e.g. raising venture capital) and organizational behavior (e.g. social norms). This course is for Daytime MBA and Accelerated Daytime MBA students.
Skills
- negotiationtitle: "game theory"
- financedescription: "finance" and 1 more
- leadershipdescription: "strategy" and 1 more
AI-resilient: 1 of 5
- No: Physical, lab or field work
- No: Live work with people
- Yes: Judgment someone is accountable for · "strategy"
- No: A craft you practice with your hands or body
- No: Small, in-person format
The checks lean on Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025), which found generative AI applies least to physical work and hands-on work with people. A signal, not a promise. How the score works
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