The mathematical theory of games grew out of the study of games of strategy, and evolved into a general theory of rational behavior in conflict situations. We will first learn to set up and solve two-person games of conflict, and then study the complications that arise in two-person games which involve elements of both conflict and cooperation. In the last part of the course we will consider the theory of games with more than two players, where the objects of study are the formation of coalitions and the fair division of winnings. Throughout, we will pay careful attention to applications of game theory in economics, political science, biology, anthropology and social psychology.

Professor Phil Straffin received his Ph.D. in algebraic topology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1971 and has been at Beloit College since, except for sabbaticals at Cornell University, the University of Florida, Harvard University, Boston University, and the University of Colorado. He is currently the Thomas White Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Beloit College. Phil has written numerous articles and books on a variety of topics, including a dozen articles that have appeared in MAA journals and several that have appeared in the UMAP Journal. He was the editor of the book, "Applications of Calculus," which appeared in 1993 as MAA Notes 29 in the Resources for Calculus collection, and he authored the New Mathematical Library title "Game Theory and Strategy" which was also published by MAA in 1993. The latter book will be the text for this short course. He also wrote "Topics in the Theory of Voting" (Birkhauser, 1980), and co-edited "Political and Related Models" with William Lucas and Steven Brams (Springer-Verlag, 1983), and "UMAP Modules: Tools for Teaching 1986" with Paul Campbell (COMAP, 1987). Phil has coached twenty-four student teams in the COMAP Mathematical Competition in Modeling. His teams in 1991 and 1994 were rated Outstanding, teams in 1985, 1987, 1992 and two in 1999 were rated Meritorious, and thirteen teams received Honorable Mention. Among his awards are the MAA Allendoerfer Award for Mathematical Exposition (1985), Distinguished Teaching Award from the MAA Wisconsin Section (1992), and the MAA Haimo Distinguished Teaching Award (1993).

The registration fee for this year's summer short course is $150. On-campus housing is available in Virginia Kettering Residence Hall, an air-conditioned facility consisting of suites, each containing two bedrooms with twin beds plus a common living area. The suites rent for $80 per night and may be shared by up to four people. On-campus meals are available in the cafeteria on the ground floor of Kennedy Union in the center of campus. The Dayton Marriott hotel is within walking distance of campus, and several restaurants are along the west edge of campus.

The 2002 MAA Ohio Section Short Course will meet 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on Thursday, June 27th and Friday, June 28th, and 9:00 am to Noon on Saturday, June 29th. Sessions are informal with discussion encouraged, and problem sets will be provided for possible use in courses elsewhere.