About the Course
IBM founder Thomas J. Watson once said, Business is a game, the greatest game in the world if you know how to play it. In today's global economy and the international political arena, the study of games and strategy continues to be a vital field for historians, economists, and politicians to explore. In this course, you will learn the principles of probability, statistics, and combinatorics, and how to apply them while making strategic decisions based on an opponent's actions and reactions. You and your classmates will investigate the applications of these tools in game theory, learning how they have shaped historical events and how they are applied today in the fields of economics and politics. You will use your new knowledge to debate potential laws, model economic patterns, and reason through international policy decisions. Note: Students who have taken CTY's Probability and Game Theory or Game Theory and Economics should not take this course.
Typical Class Size: 16-18
Learning Objectives
- Plan game theory strategies and apply them to scenarios such as social interactions, politics, voting, business, and natural sciences
- Develop successful game strategies by proposing, formulating, and solving problems related to probability theory
- Generate, examine, and apply zero-sum games, Nash equilibria, saddle points, prisoner’s dilemma interrogation to ideas of competition and real-world strategies
- Examine, analyze, and develop game play to build strategic thinking
- Propose and articulate game strategies and solutions to problems, written and oral, through distinct exercises and collective projects
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
In Person
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 11, 2026
Filling up fast! 2 spots left
Time Commitment:
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
The Art of Strategy, by Dixit and Nalebuff
Co-Opetition, by Brandenburger and Nalebudd
Technical Requirements
Students must bring a tablet with a keyboard, laptop computer, or Chromebook for use during the session. A smartphone will not be sufficient.
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: July 2, 2026
Filling up fast! 2 spots left
Time Commitment:
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
The Art of Strategy, by Dixit and Nalebuff
Co-Opetition, by Brandenburger and Nalebudd
Technical Requirements
Students must bring a tablet with a keyboard, laptop computer, or Chromebook for use during the session. A smartphone will not be sufficient.
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid