ESP Biography



CHRISTIE BRANDT, ESP Teacher




Major: computer science

College/Employer: Stanford

Year of Graduation: G

Picture of Christie Brandt

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Not Available.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

M2967: Interconnected: The Networks Around Us in Splash! Spring 2013 (Apr. 13 - 14, 2013)
From Facebook to the global economy, our world is growing increasingly interconnected. This course provides a whirlwind tour of the basics of the study of complex networks, especially social networks. We will first talk about the basics of graph structure and some of the properties of graphs, then talk about some properties specific to social networks such as triadic closure and short distances. We will look at real-world examples and talk about how companies such as Facebook make use of these properties. Time allowing, we will also interactively explore tipping and network contagion.


M2466: Adversarial World: A Whirlwind Tour of Game Theory in Real World Problems in Splash! Fall 2012 (Nov. 03 - 04, 2012)
Game theory isn’t about chess or checkers. Many world problems, from splitting up household chores to nuclear disarmament to segregation, can be seen as the interactions of “selfish agents”: people acting to benefit themselves and not necessarily the common good. But that doesn't mean the intuitive mathematical models are always good at predicting human behaviour. This course will be a short, whirlwind tour of the fundamentals of game theory, some of the more intriguing games, and the real-world situations that they relate to. We will play out the games interactively and focus on discussing them mathematically—then talk about when and why game theorists get it wrong and real-life behaviour doesn’t reflect the models. We will most likely discuss utility, rationality, dominated strategies, and possibly Nash equilibria in the context of the ultimatum game, prisoner's dilemma, and the tragedy of the commons; topics will vary depending on time and class interest.


M2468: Interconnected: The Networks Around Us in Splash! Fall 2012 (Nov. 03 - 04, 2012)
From Facebook to the global economy, our world is growing increasingly interconnected. This course provides a whirlwind tour of the basics of the study of complex networks, especially social networks. We will first talk about the basics of graph structure and some of the properties of graphs, then talk about some properties specific to social networks such as triadic closure and short distances. We will look at real-world examples and talk about how companies such as Facebook make use of these properties. Time allowing, we will also interactively explore tipping and network contagion.


M2062: Adversarial World: Game Theory in Real World Problems (Mathematical Focus) in Splash! Spring 2012 (Apr. 21 - 22, 2012)
***NOTE: Two versions of this class are offered. This version is more mathematically challenging, and will require prerequisites in probability theory. If you are more interested in a "lighter" version of the class, please sign up for the other version. Expected grade level: 10-12*** Game theory isn’t about chess or checkers. Many world problems, from splitting up household chores to nuclear disarmament to segregation, can be seen as the interactions of “selfish agents”: people acting to benefit themselves and not necessarily the common good. This course introduces some of the fundamental concepts and games of game theory and some of the real-world situations they relate to. We will play out the games interactively and focus on discussing them mathematically—then talk about when and why game theorists get it wrong and real-life behavior doesn’t reflect the models. Topics may include Nash equilibria, solving for Nash Equilibria in two-player zero-sum games, Braes' Paradox, prisoner’s dilemma, ultimatum game, tragedy of the commons, and more. Depending on class interest, topics can include segregation models, rationality paradoxes, and network contagion.


M2064: Adversarial World: Game Theory in Real World Problems (Conceptual Focus) in Splash! Spring 2012 (Apr. 21 - 22, 2012)
***NOTE: Two versions of this class are offered. This version is more focused on intuitive and conceptual understanding than rigorous mathematics, and has less prerequisites than the other version. If you are more interested in a more mathematically rigorous version of the class, please sign up for the other version. Expected grade level: 7-9*** Game theory isn’t about chess or checkers. Many world problems, from splitting up household chores to nuclear disarmament to segregation, can be seen as the interactions of “selfish agents”: people acting to benefit themselves and not necessarily the common good. This course introduces some of the fundamental concepts and games of game theory and some of the real-world situations they relate to. We will play out the games interactively and discuss them mathematically—then talk about when and why game theorists get it wrong and real-life behavior doesn’t reflect the models. Topics may include Nash equilibria, prisoner’s dilemma, ultimatum game, tragedy of the commons, and more. Depending on class interest, topics can include segregation models, rationality paradoxes, and network contagion.


M1782: Adversarial World: Game Theory In Real World Problems in Splash! Fall 2011 (Oct. 29 - 30, 2011)
Game theory isn't about chess or checkers. Many world problems, from splitting up household chores to nuclear disarmament to segregation, can be seen as the interactions of "selfish agents": people acting to benefit themselves and not necessarily the common good. This course introduces some of the fundamental concepts and games of game theory and some of the real-world situations they relate to. We will play out the games interactively and discuss them mathematically--then talk about when and why game theorists get it wrong and real-life behavior doesn't reflect the models. Topics include Nash equilibrium, prisoner's dilemma, ultimatum game, tragedy of the commons, and more. Depending on class interest, topics can include segregation models, rationality paradoxes, and network contagion.