| 1 |
08 Jan |
Random Walks |
Lecture 1
Optional: Roberts, 'Probability', and, for a brief mathematical discussion, Feynman, 'The Random Walk' |
DQ-1 |
| 2 |
15 Jan |
Atomic Reasoning |
Lecture 2
Further Reading on Models: van Fraassen (1980) The Scientific Image Section 3 only; Ladyman and French (1999) 'Reinflating the Semantic Approach'; Frigg (2010 'Models and Fiction'; Frigg and Hartmann, Models in Science (SEP). Further reading on atoms: and Feynman, 'Matter is made of atoms' |
DQ-2
Choose an Essay Topic |
| 3 |
22 Jan |
Quantum Jumps |
Lecture 3.1 and 3.2
Optional: Norton, 'Atoms and the Quantum', Norton, 'Einstein's Miraculous Argument of 1905: The Thermodynamic Grounding of Light Quanta' |
DQ-3 |
| 4 |
29 Jan |
Wave-Particle Duality |
Lecture 4.1 and 4.2
Further Reading: Roberts, 'Causation'; Norton (2003) 'Causation as Folk Science'; Salmon (1980) 'Probabilistic Causation'. See also the Quantum double slit animation. |
DQ-4 |
| 5 |
5 Feb |
Entanglement |
Lecture 5.1 and 5.2 and Howard (1989) Sections 3-4 Only (from pg.240)
Further Reading: Howard (1989) (remaining article), and The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Argument in Quantum Theory |
DQ-5 |
| 6 |
12 Feb |
Physics in Finance |
Lecture 6
Optional: Friedman "The Methodology of Positive Economics", MacKenzie "An Engine Not a Camera, Chapter 1", Beisbart "Probabilistic Modeling in Physics", John Hull, Options, Futures and Other Derivative Securities (Chapter 1) |
DQ-6
Formative Essay Due: Mon, 12 Feb by 2pm |
| 7 |
19 Feb |
Stock Pricing |
Lecture 7
Optional: Osborne, "Brownian motion in the Stock Market", MacKenzie, "Theory and Practice", Johnstone, "The CAPM Debate and the Logic and Philosophy of Finance", Malkiel, "Technical and Fundamental Analysis", Malkiel, "Potshots at the Efficient-Market Theory and Why They Miss", Hausman, "Inexactness, ceteris paribus clauses, and 'unrealistic assumptions'" |
DQ-7 |
| 8 |
26 Feb |
Black-Scholes Pricing |
Lecture 8
Optional: MacKenzie, "Is economics performative? Option theory and the construction of derivatives markets", Mäki, "Performativity: Saving Austin From MacKenzie", Malkiel, "What determines prices in the futures and options markets?" |
DQ-8 |
| 9 |
5 Mar |
Fractals |
Lecture 9
Optional: Hausman, Why look under the hood? (Chapter 9 of The Philosophy of Economics), MacKenzie, "Arbitrage", Mandelbrot, "The variation of certain speculative prices" and Lowenstein, When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long Term Capital Management |
DQ-9 |
| 10 |
12 Mar |
Stock market crashes |
Lecture 10
Optional: Sornette, "Financial Crashes: What, How, Why and When?", John Roberts, "There are no laws in the social sciences", and BWR, laws of nature and laws of the social sciences |
DQ-10 |
| 11 |
19 Mar |
Reading Week
(No Lecture) |
|
First Summative Essay: Due Mon, 19 Mar by 2pm |
| ST |
20 Apr |
No Lecture or Class |
|
2nd Summative Essay: Due Mon, 23 Apr by 2pm |