EC322-Economics of Labour

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: EC201 Intermediate Microeconomics and EC204 Introductory Econometrics or EC201 Intermediate Microeconomics and EC207 Empirical Methods for Economics and Social Sciences or EC201NU Intermediate Microeconomics and EC204NU Introductory Econometrics
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Sarah Jewell
Email: s.l.jewell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module concentrates on the more microeconomic aspects of the labour market. It contains both theoretical and applied components, with the idea to introduce and discuss some basic labour market theoretical models and how these can be applied to current policy issues of the labour market.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with tools needed to examine a range of labour market issues. It also introduces the student to some basic theoretical models and how these can beÌýapplied to study labour markets issues, so that students are able to analyse labour market data and published empirical findings from a critical perspective.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module students should:

1. know and understand a range of theoretical microeconomic labour market models and how these can be applied to current policy issues, as well as recognising the limitations of these models.


2. have gained knowledge and understanding of current topical issues in the labour market.


3. have developed microeconomic and methodological tools that enable them to explore and analyse labour market data.


4. be able to critically analyse published empirical work relating to labour market issues.

Additional outcomes:

Contribute to the contemporary debates in relation to current labour market issues.

Extend, data and econometric software skills.

Outline content:

Topics will include topicsÌýfrom under labour supply, labour demand and human capital. Examples of topics that may be covered include: discrimination, wage inequality, skills,Ìýmigration, the principal agent problem.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The lectures will be used to present and discuss the main module material. Students are expected to read the suggested readings in advance of lectures.