39069 - Labor Economics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course student has knowledge of a detailed analysis of the main areas in labor economics, both from a theoretical and an empirical perspective. Topics include the analysis of labor supply by individual and households, labor demand by firms, equilibrium wage differentials and employment outcomes resulting from the interaction of such supply and demand, education and human capital, life-cycle profiles, job search models, and labor market institutions. At the end of the course student has an understanding of how labor markets work and possess the basic tools to undertake original research in the field.

Course contents

We will cover the following topics:

- Review of constrained optimization and consumer theory, as needed

- Labor Supply

- Human capital

- Labor Demand

- Taxation of labor

- Search, matching, and unemployment

- Labor market institutions

Readings/Bibliography

See references in the detailed Syllabus available at https://sites.google.com/site/giuliozanella/teaching

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

The exam, as usual, verifies:

- Understanding of the material covered in class.

- Ability to apply this material to understand, in this case, the theory, econometrics, and empirics of labor economics.

I will assign two problem sets during the quarter. These will be graded. You are strongly encouraged to work in groups but every student must hand-in her/his own answers. "Photocopied" answers will be considered cheating.

Then there will be a final exam.

The final grade is computed as follows: 15% each problem set; 70% final exam.

Teaching tools

Class slides & Talk

Links to further information

https://sites.google.com/site/giuliozanella/teaching

Office hours

See the website of Giulio Zanella