In this paper we study a specific subclass of abstract elementary classes. We construct a notion of independence for these AEC’s and show that under simplicity the notion has all the usual properties of first order non-forking over complete types. Our approach generalizes the context of 0-stable homogeneous classes and excellent classes. Our set of assumptions follow from disjoint amalgamation, existence of a prime model over 0/, Löwenheim–Skolem number being ω, -tameness and a property we call finite character. We also (...) start the studies of these classes from the 0-stable case. Stability in 0 and -tameness can be replaced by categoricity above the Hanf number. Finite character is the main novelty of this paper. Almost all examples of AEC’s have this property and it allows us to use weak types, as we call them, in place of Galois types. (shrink)

We continue our study of finitary abstract elementary classes, defined in [7]. In this paper, we prove a categoricity transfer theorem for a case of simple finitary AECs. We introduce the concepts of weak κ-categoricity and f-primary models to the framework of א₀-stable simple finitary AECs with the extension property, whereby we gain the following theorem: Let (������, ≼ ������ ) be a simple finitary AEC, weakly categorical in some uncountable κ. Then (������, ≼ ������ ) is weakly categorical in (...) each λ ≥ min { \group{ \{\kappa,\beth_{ \group{ (2^{ \aleph_{ 0 _} ^});^{ + ^} \group} _}\}; \group} . If the class (������, ≼ ������ ) is also LS(������)-tame, weak κ-categoricity is equivalent with κ-categoricity in the usual sense. We also discuss the relation between finitary AECs and some other non-elementary frameworks and give several examples. (shrink)

We study Lascar strong types and Galois types and especially their relation to notions of type which have finite character. We define a notion of a strong type with finite character, the so-called Lascar type. We show that this notion is stronger than Galois type over countable sets in simple and superstable finitary AECs. Furthermore, we give an example where the Galois type itself does not have finite character in such a class.