This course focuses on the human element of the economic system. We examine a wide range of behavioural science theories from neo-classical economics, psychology, behavioural economics, sociology, and complexity economics to better understand how humans behave and make decisions that impact the economy, the environment, and society. The course focuses on the wide range of cases where people might make decisions that are inconsistent with standard economic theory and the assumptions of rational decision-making. These cases include “irrational” patterns of thinking about money and investments, how expectations shape perception, economic and psychological analyses of dishonesty by honest people, how social and financial incentives work together (or against each other) in labour, and the role of self‐control and emotions (rather than cognition) in decision making. The course presents an interdisciplinary perspective on how to understand, research and change human behaviour.

We take a multilevel and multimodal approach to exploring each theory. Throughout the course, students will: 1) Focus on the varying ontological and epistemological perspectives that underlie knowledge generation in the different behavioural sciences. 2) Learn how these theories are applied at the individual and aggregate levels. 3) Tangibly engage with selected research methods, such as economics experiments, games, and surveys. 4) Delve into contemporary sustainability policy issues such as income inequality, climate change, and resource conservation from a behavioural science perspective.

This course offers students a framework to help select theories for own research. Further, it helps students think creatively and critically about the application of behavioural sciences to sustainability-focused public policies.

After completing this course, students should:

• know selected socio-economic theories of human behaviour;
• be aware of the different approaches to understanding and knowledge generation that underlie the different behavioural sciences;
• comprehend the different ontological and epistemological assumptions in different bodies of behavioural research and as used by different disciplinary experts;
• be able to critically interrogate empirical evidence on human behaviour generated by use of different methods;
• be able to apply insights about human behaviour for the design of public policy.

tba

• To show you have read the text and understood key aspects
• Debate issues within the text
• Connect the lectures to a broader context of topics
• To help you to think about key concepts
• To encourage participation, reflection and critical thought
• Allow you to clarify your understanding

Reading course - the instructor assigns readings for each session which are then discussed by the members

Reading assignments

Throughout the semester, readings will be assigned. These are academic journal articles or book chapters.

In order to aid your reading of the text and prepare you for the seminar / reading group discussions a series of questions will be set to accompany each reading.

You are required to address the questions before the seminar discussion groups by submitting a one page written set of answers.