Module ECON3081: Labour Economics

Department: Economics

ECON3081: Labour Economics

Tied To

• CFC0: Natural Sciences (Psychology pathway)
• CFC1: Natural Sciences (Psychology pathway) with Year Abroad
• CFC2: Natural Sciences (Psychology pathway) with Placement
• CFG0: Natural Sciences
• CFG1: Natural Sciences with Year Abroad
• CFG2: Natural Sciences with Placement
• FGC0: Natural Sciences
• FGC1: Natural Sciences with Placement
• L100: Economics
• L103: Economics with Management
• L104: Economics with Management with Placement Year
• L105: Economics with Management with Study Abroad
• L106: Economics with Placement Year
• L109: Economics with Study Abroad
• L130: Economics
• L133: Economics with Management
• L134: Economics with Management with Placement Year
• L135: Economics with Management with Study Abroad
• L136: (programme not found)
• L139: (programme not found)
• L1R1: Economics with French
• LA01: Liberal Arts
• LA02: Liberal Arts (with Year Abroad)
• LA03: Liberal Arts (with Placement Year)
• LL01: Economics and Politics with Study Abroad
• LL02: Economics and Politics with Placement Year
• LL12: Economics and Politics
• LMV0: Combined Honours in Social Sciences
• LMVA: Combined Honours in Social Sciences (with Year Abroad)
• LMVP: Combined Honours in Social Sciences (with Placement Year)
• VL52: Philosophy, Politics and Economics
• VLL6: Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Placement Year
• VLLA: Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Study Abroad

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

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 labour economics, while providing opportunities to practise and develop a range of key skills.

Content

• Topics are likely to include:
• The demand and supply for labour
• Models of trade union determination
• Minimum wages
• Worker participation
• Job search and unemployment
• Human capital and information
• Compensating differentials
• Discrimination in the labour market
• Incentives, labour effort and pay

Learning Outcomes

• 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.

• On completion of the module, students should be able to apply the tools of economic analysis to selected issues in labour market policy.

• Written Communication - through formative and summative assessment
• Initiative - by selecting and researching relevant literature and information in preparation for tutorial classes, formative assessment and the written examination.
• Problem solving and analysis - by exercising critical thinking in applying relevant theory and empirical evidence to the analysis of problems and issues encountered in seminar worksheets and summative assessment.
• Numeracy - by applying core mathematical and quantitative skills to complete a range of seminar exercises.
• Computer Literacy and Information Retrieval - by word processing, accessing and downloading material form DUO, using e-mail to communicate with class leader and other students, undertaking bibliographic search and information retrieval for their student-centred learning topic.

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

• Teaching is by lectures, seminars and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminar classes and private study (including student-centred learning). Formative assessment is by means of a piece of written work. Summative assessment is by means of a written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

One written piece of work to prepare students for the summative examination.