EC 480 - Labor Economics

(3.00 cr.)

Individuals make decisions on how much to work, where to work, and how to utilize the earnings from their labor. Firms develop compensation systems and make hiring decisions to efficiently extract the most from their workers, and governments make decisions on what policies are required to regulate the labor market. At a micro level, these decisions determine a family's financial resources, whether college is a good investment, and whether women face wage discrimination. At a macro level, these decisions determine the level of poverty, inequality, unemployment, and the generosity of the social safety net. This course introduces students to economic analysis of these decisions, their outcomes, and how they relate to issues of social justice. Topics include wage determination and structure, human capital theory and returns to education, unemployment and search theory, unions, immigration, minimum wage, and social assistance programs. Students delve deeper into a specific area by conducting original research on a topic they develop in conjunction with the professor.

Prerequisite: EC 102 .
Recommended Prerequisite: EC 103 , EC 302 .
Sessions Typically Offered: Varies
Years Typically Offered: Varies