EC322-Economics of Labour

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: EC201 Intermediate Microeconomics and EC204 Introductory Econometrics or EC201 Intermediate Microeconomics and EC207 Empirical Methods for Economics and Social Sciences
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Sarah Jewell

Email: s.l.jewell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module concentrates on the more microeconomic aspects of the labour market. It contains both theoretical and empirical components, with the idea to introduce and discuss some basic labour market theoretical models and how these can be applied to current policy issues of the labour market. The focus will be more on the applied side of labour economics.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with the microeconomic tools needed to examine a range of labour market issues. It also introduces the student to some basic theoretical models and some common empirical techniques that are applied to study labour markets issues, so that students are able to analyse published empirical findings from a critical perspective.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of the module students should:
1) know and understand a range of theoretical microeconomic labour market models and how these can be applied to current policy issues, as well as recognising the limitations of these models.
2) have gained knowledge and understanding of current topical issues in the labour market.
3) understand empirical approaches to understanding labour market issues and be able to critically analyse published empirical work.
4) have developed a number of microeconomic and methodological tools that enable them to explore and analyse labour market data.

Additional outcomes:
Contribute to the contemporary debates in relation to current labour market issues.
Extend, data and econometric software skills.

Outline content:

Topics will include topics under labour supply, labour demand and human capital. Specific topics may include: discrimination , wage inequality, labour market mismatches, migration: internal and international, the principal agent problem and its solutions.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The lectures will be used to present and discuss the main module material. Students are expected to read the suggested readings and empirical articles in advance of lectures. There will be computer lab sessions to demonstrate some of the empirical approaches, and to help with the use of Stata and the empirical project.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Practicals classes and workshops	8
Guided independent study:	172
Total hours by term	200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	40
Project output other than dissertation	60

Summative assessment- Examinations:
There is no final examination.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One empirical project worth 60% (due in week 9 of the Autumn term) and one extended essay worth 40% (due in week 2 of the Spring term). 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A minimum overall mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination for all modules takes place in August of the same year. Reassessment is by coursework only; this will not be a re-submission the earlier empirical project or essay; a new essay and project will be set. However, if only one of the empirical project or essay fails to meet the standard, then the student will only be required to re-submit either a new project or essay for which they previously failed. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy.
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019