PUBPOL 3560

Market Design for Public Policy

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

This course introduces students to public policy applications of game theory and market design, including (i) matching algorithms for assignment problems such as school choice, public housing allocation, kidney exchange, refugee resettlement, and labor markets; (ii) auction design for allocation of natural resources, public radio spectrum, emission permits, and government procurement; (iii) platform/exchange design for online markets.

Prerequisites REF-FA25 ECON 1110 (or equivalent) or PUBPOL 5210 (or equivalent).

Distribution Requirements (SBA-HE)

Last 3 terms offered 2025SP

Learning Outcomes REF-FA25

• Describe public policy applications of game theory and market design.
• Analyze public policy interventions by considering the strategic behavior of economic agents.
• Assess the ethical and equity implications of different market designs and policy interventions.
• Communicate economic research findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

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