Advanced Seminar Economics, Policy & Economectrics: Economics and Everyday Life: Experiments on Beliefs, Social Norms and Discrimination

The seminar comprises three main segments: initially, students are introduced to the fundamental methodology of experimental economics by an instructor. In the second phase, students independently work on a secelcted research paper, with periodic meetings available for assistance. The final phase involves presenting their paper to peers and starting the discussion in one of the presentations of their a student. Topics covered in part one: Topic 1: Introduction to the methodology of experimental economics (study design) Topic 2: Introduction to basic econometrics for experimental designs Topic 3: Introduction to the selected topics (beliefs, social norms, discrimination) Selected broad fields covered in student presentation: Area 1: Beliefs about inequality (and preferences for redistribution) Area 2: Social and gener norms Area 3: (Racial) discrimination

Students are introduced to the fundamentals of experimental behavioral science. In addition to the topics discussed, the focus is on the applied methodology and the underlying models. After successful participation, students will be able to critically analyze experimental research in behavioral science, understand the most important concepts and results, and explain them. They will be able to describe the methodology and design of experimental studies, as well as the statistical analyses. They will be able to apply theoretical knowledge and concepts to practical examples. They can express their thoughts, findings, and criticisms clearly and concisely.

After an intruduction to experimental economics, students work on a current scientific paper and present it to their peers so that the method and the most important contributions can be discussed afterward (85\% of the overall grade). In addition, the students deal with a research paper presented by one of their fellow students. Following the presentation of this paper, students begin a critical discussion of the presentation/paper (15\% of the overall grade). The presentation lasts 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute discussion. Active class room participation is expected during the entire course of the seminar. The proposed method provides a holistic assessment of students' comprehension, communication skills, and ability to engage in meaningful discourse, which is essential for higher education and professional development.

none

Seminar: Students will process a current research paper and deliver a presentation to their classmates at the end of the semester. Additionally, they will critically discuss one research paper presented by one of their peers. There are several arguments why the presentation of a research paper, and the discussion of another are effective methods for assessing students' understanding of the main concepts of those papers: It requires students to actively engage with the material, synthesizing information and conveying it to their peers and encourages them to actively listen and respond to them, fostering a dynamic and interactive learning environment. A presentation demands a thorough understanding of the entire research paper. It assesses students' ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and concisely, and the discussion thereof evaluates their capacity to express thoughtful insights and engage in constructive dialogue. The proposed method facilitates knowledge-sharing among peers, allowing students to learn from each other's perspectives and interpretations and can benefit from diverse viewpoints and insights of others. Finally, a presentation allows for immediate feedback, enabling students to address misconceptions promptly and refine their understanding. In conclusion, the proposed method provides a holistic assessment of students' comprehension, communication skills, and ability to engage in meaningful discourse, which is essential for higher education and professional development. There is no written elaboration of the research paper because assessing the genuine comprehension of a research paper is significantly more challenging with the assistance of the highly advanced artificial intelligence currently available.