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Labor Economics
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:49:07
Abstract
The lecture provides an introduction to some of the central issues in labor economics, including the determinants of labor supply, firms' demand for workers, minimum wages, unemployment, wage inequality, immigration, and discrimination against women and foreigners. It presents recent empirical research papers on these issues and discusses the empirical challenges related to their research design.
Objective
After taking this course, students will be able to - analyze the behavior of actors on the labor market within the conceptual framework of economic theory. - explain phenomena such as unemployment, wage inequality, labor market discrimination, and labor market imperfections. - comment on policy-relevant issues such as minimum wages, a universal basic income, immigration, and unemployment insurance. - comprehend and present the results of the pertinent empirical studies on these issues. - understand the challenges associated with a causal identification of research questions in the social sciences. - comprehend the idea behind the most important statistical methods that modern empirical researchers apply to overcome these challenges.
Content
In the course, students will get answers to relevant questions about modern labor markets: Who works, how much, and why? Do people work less if they have a universal (guaranteed) income or pay higher taxes? How does a firm determine its employment? Does a minimum wage reduce the employment of workers it intends to help? How does unemployment arise? What does unemployment insurance do, and what are its effects? What drives the surge in wage inequality in developed countries in the last decades? What are the effects of immigration on resident wages and employment? Is there wage and hiring discrimination against women, men, and foreigners in the labor market, and why does it arise? After presenting how modern labor economics conceptualizes these issues, the course discusses state-of-the-art empirical research papers that answer these questions. In the context of the topics, the course thus provides an introduction to basic statistical methods and data analysis techniques, including regression analysis and quasi-experimental methods. Students will also learn how empirical researchers use big data to get from correlations to causality. This introduction to modern applied economics does not require any prior background in economics or statistics. This lecture is thus targeted at students that are interested in the functioning of labor markets and the academic debate about certain labor market policies. A second target group is students that want to learn how modern empirical research in labor economics uses big data to analyze central issues in labor economics. Students are expected to participate in the in-class discussions actively. They will also have the opportunity to read and present a key research paper on one of the topics discussed in class. The performance will be assessed based on a written exam at the end of the semester.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Labor Economics
The lecture takes place in classroom, online via livestreaming or zoom, not recorded.
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Management, Technology and Economics Master (Welcome and Introduction to MSc ETH MTEC Monday, 20.09.2021, 14.00 - 15.15 h, HG E 1.1 (tbc))
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