EC423     
Labour Economics

This information is for the 2015/16 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Esteban Aucejo 32L. 2.30

Prof Jörn-Steffen Pischke 32L.2.16

Availability

This course is available on the MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, MSc in Economics and MSc in Economics (2 Year Programme). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics (EC400).

Course content

An advanced course in labour economics issues, including theory, evidence and policy. The aim of the course is to familiarise students with main theoretical and empirical issues in current labour economics, and to provide them with the tools for developing independent research interests. The course has a strong applied focus. For each major topic covered we will derive testable implications, provide insights into the research methodology, discuss the advantages and limitations of existing empirical work, and draw policy conclusions. Topics include: labour supply, labour demand, market power of firms and workers, wage determination, unemployment, minimum wage, compensating differentials, returns to schooling, discrimination, role of non-cognitive skills in the labour market, and immigration.

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the MT. 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the LT. 2 hours of lectures in the ST.

Formative coursework

Two marked assignments per term.

Indicative reading

Most of the reading is from journal articles. A detailed reading list is available on Moodle.

Assessment

Exam (50%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (50%, 6000 words) in the ST.

Key facts

Department: Economics

Total students 2014/15: 13

Average class size 2014/15: 13

Controlled access 2014/15: Yes

Value: One Unit

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