  This is an introductory review of topological field theories (TFTs) called
AKSZ sigma models. The AKSZ construction is a mathematical formulation for the
construction and analyses of a large class of TFTs, inspired by the
Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism of gauge theories. We begin by considering a
simple two-dimensional topological field theory and explain the ideas of the
AKSZ sigma models. This construction is then generalized and leads to a
mathematical formulation of a general topological sigma model. We review the
mathematical objects, such as algebroids and supergeometry, that are used in
the analysis of general gauge structures. The quantization of the Poisson sigma
model is presented as an example of a quantization of an AKSZ sigma model.
