Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module ECON3081: LABOUR ECONOMICS

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (ECONOMICS AND FINANCE)

ECON3081: LABOUR ECONOMICS

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Economic Principles II: Microeconomics (ECON2021).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • The module aims to build upon material introduced at Levels 1 and 2 in order to develop an understanding of some of the principal issues in modern labout economics, while providing opportunities to practise and develop a range of key skills.

Content

  • The demand for labour
  • The supply of labour
  • Labour market equilibrium
  • Human capital and information
  • Compensating differentials
  • Incentives, labour effort and pay
  • Models of efficiency wages
  • Models of trade union wage determination
  • Minimum wages
  • Job search and unemployment duration
  • The macroeconomics of unemployment
  • Topics in Labour Economics

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key aspects of modern labour economics, drawing on relevant theory and empirical evidence.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of the module, students should be able to apply the tools of economic analysis to selected issues in labour market policy.
Key Skills:
  • Written Communication - by summative assessment
  • Initiative - by selecting and researching relevant literature and information in preparation for their examination.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by lectures, tutorials and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in tutorial classes and private study (inlcuding student-centred learning). Formative assessment is by means of one piece of written work of 1500 words. Summative assessment is by means of an unseen written examination of two and a quarter hours duration.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 22 1 per week 1 hour 22
Tutorials 8 1 every 2 weeks 1 hour 8
Student-centred Learning 4 1 hour 4
Preparation and Reading 166
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 2 hours 15 minutes 100%

Formative Assessment:

One piece of written work of not more than 1500 words.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University