EC533
Labour Economics for Research Students
This information is for the 2019/20 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Guy Michaels 32L.2.10, Prof Yona Rubinstein NAB.5.32, Prof John Van Reenen 32L.2.27A and Prof Jorn Pischke 32L.LG.20
Availability
This course is available on the MRes/PhD in Economics and MRes/PhD in Management (Marketing). This course is not available as an outside option.
Course content
The aim of the course is to familiarise students with main theoretical and empirical issues in current labour economics, to provide them with the tools for carrying out independent research in the field, and to provide a perspective on areas of ongoing research. The course has a strong applied focus. For each major topic covered we will investigate the main available theories in light of their testable implications, and discuss the advantages and limitations of existing empirical work and assess policy options.
Topics include:
- Labour supply, household behaviour, and the allocation of time
- Labour demand and monopsony
- Search, matching, labour market frictions, unions, and unemployment
- Wage determination, compensating differentials, race and gender gaps, and wage inequality
- Human capital, returns to schooling, and training
- Contracts and incentives in the labour market
Teaching
30 hours of lectures in the MT. 30 hours of lectures in the LT.
Formative coursework
Students will discuss papers in lectures.
Indicative reading
Readings will be mainly from journal articles; a list will be supplied at the start of term.
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Key facts
Department: Economics
Total students 2018/19: 9
Average class size 2018/19: Unavailable
Value: One Unit
