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Abstract
We discuss research on inequality in different areas of economics. Possible topics include distributional national accounts, heterogeneous returns, inheritances, intergenerational mobility, gender inequality in the labor market (topics will also be decided upon depending on the students' interests).
Objective
After the course, participants will have a solid understanding of the current state of research on inequality in different fields in economics and, starting from there, will be able to develop their own research ideas. They will further learn how to critically assess and referee a paper, as it is common practice during the referee process, and they will practice their presentation skills and give feedback to each other. The students will therefore also acquire competences for conferences and participation in the scientific discourse.
Content
The target group of this course are PhD students who are interested in writing a paper related to economic inequality. Advanced Master students who are interested in taking the course, especially those who plan to pursue a PhD in Economics, are welcome, too. The topic is intentionally kept broad to leave room for individual research interests and cover different areas. This will allow students to get to know the current state of research in different but related areas, and help them develop their own research question. By critically examining the literature, students will also learn what makes a well-written paper. By presenting papers, students will further train their presentation skills, and we will take time to give feedback in class on the presentations, too. Oral and written presentation of research are both integral parts of a successful academic career. In the written assignment, finally, students will write a referee report or a research proposal, starting from a paper we discussed in the course. The course will start with an introduction into the topic and an overview of inequality research in economics. Inequality has become a buzz-word in many paper titles and abstracts, but different areas of economics have sometimes very different approaches to this popular topic. The main part of the course will consist of reading and presenting papers that belong to different areas of economics, including Macroeconomics, Public Economics, and Microeconomics / Labour Economics. Below you find the *suggestive* syllabus for this course. I will provide a list of papers in each of the six blocks at the beginning of the semester, and students will choose a paper to present during the semester (suggestions to present a paper that is not on the list are welcome). Students are required to read all papers discussed in the course and active participation is expected. At the end of the semester, they will write a referee report with possible suggestions for future research or develop a research proposal. The written assignment is due by January 24, 2024. Topics (suggestive) Aggregate trends in income and wealth inequality - Top income and wealth shares - Distributional national accounts DINA - Wealth income ratios Measurement of top wealth and its difficulties - Capitalization and heterogeneous returns - Tax data and tax evasion - Alternative data and its limitations Inheritances - Their role for wealth inequality - Optimal taxation of inheritances Intergenerational mobility - Measurement - Exogenous variation and causal identification Gender Inequality in the labour market - Gender wage gap - Child penalties Pandemics and their effects on inequalities - Covid-19 - 1918 Influenza Pandemic (“Spanish Flu”) - The plague
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Signup End
- 19.09.2025
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Economics of Inequality
Does not take place this semester.
Block course
|
No time listed | 2 h weekly |
Offered In
-
Doktorat Management, Technologie und Ökonomie (Mehr Informationen unter: )
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