Module overview
The course discusses in details some of the most important topics in labour economics research by bringing the theory to the data using a combination of empirical methodologies.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Key issues related to current research in labour economics
- Key analytical and empirical methods in labour economics.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Conduct independent empirical analysis using adequate micro econometric techniques in labour economics
- Apply state of the art theoretical and empirical techniques to analyse research and policy questions in labour economics.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Communicate research design and results in various forms.
Syllabus
We will study three main topics:
- Labour supply
- Labour demand
- Human capital
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 126 |
| Teaching | 24 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Readings are mainly from journal articles and research papers that will be provided during the course.
Textbooks
Cahuc, Pierre, and Carrillo Stephane, and Andre Zyberberg (2014). Labor Economics. MIT Press.
Labor Economics. McGraw-Hill.
Mostly Harmless Econometrics. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
In order to assure that students develop their technical competences and their understanding of the theoretical components of the course, a coursework assignment will be set contributing 10% of the overall grade.
An important focus of the course is the issue of how to carry out empirical work transparently and scientifically so as to enable replicability. Hence the importance of the report (worth 70% of the final grade) which is a critical replication study from a selection of papers. During the course, students will learn and be enabled via several practical exercises to carry out such a task.
In order to incentivise students to engage continuously with the course material, students will be invited give brief presentations of key empirical papers that illustrate the material in the lectures. In order to increase engagement further, some students will be assigned the role of discussants. This component of the course will carry 10% and will be graded in the form of Pass/Fail.
This will supported by continuous formative assessment in the of e.g. problem sets. This is the same for internal repeat. Assessment for external repeat and referral is through 100% report.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual Presentation | 10% |
| Report | 80% |
| Coursework | 10% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Report | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Report | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External