This course will provide a background of the main theories in labour economics and their empirical applications. There will be some limited technical aspects and some mathematics is required, but the focus will be on applying these theories to relevant real-world questions that one may be able to see discussed in a newspaper. Topics of the course will include the determinants of wages, education and training, labour demand and vacancies, gender issues in the labour market, migration, discrimination, unemployment.

Lectures: 10 x 2-hour lectures; 1 x 1-hour online revision lecture. 

None.

1. Written assignment: research proposal; Individual; 1500 words; 75%; ILOs 1-3.
2. Oral assessment & presentation; Group; 15 Minutes; 25%; ILOs 2-4.

The aim of this course is to introduce students to core material in the area of labour economics, including exposure to the core theories in the field as well as to empirical regularities. The course also teaches important skills that are relevant for policy evaluation, focusing on research design and on the limitations of different approaches. The acquired skills can be beneficial for students who would like to further specialise in economics and also for students who are thinking about other professional directions.

1. Explain the key assumptions and the main insights of theoretical models relevant to labour markets and apply them to understand empirical findings.

2. Carefully evaluate challenges and limitations around the empirical evaluation of the effects of labour market policy interventions.

3. Communicate knowledge acquired on both theoretical and empirical issues concerning labour markets effectively, orally, visually and in writing.

4. Collaborate effectively with others and work in teams to deliver a shared output that evaluates and critiques existing research on labour markets.