Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - ECON 480 D200

Seminar in the Economics of Labor Market Policy (3)

Class Number: 9681

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 10, 2018
    Mon, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BUEC 333.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Seminar focusing on public policy as it relates to employment and income security. Special emphasis will vary from term to term, but may include such topics as examinations of current manpower, welfare and public insurance programs, labor legislation, and private institutional practices (such as union-management pension arrangements) that may affect income security.

COURSE DETAILS:

We will consider policy evaluation in a labour market context. We will take a broad view of labour market policy, ranging from (un)employment insurance and income assistance policies, to aspects of immigration and education policy that have consequences for the labour market.  

Our main focus will be the econometric basis of policy evaluation. That is, what kind of empirical evidence can usefully inform policy decisions? Our focus will therefore be the identification and estimation of causal effects, and the role of such estimates in policy-making.  

This course will have a substantive quantitative component.  We will spend a lot of time talking about and thinking about econometrics.  If you found BUEC 333 difficult, be forewarned: you will probably find this course very challenging.

Grading

  • Class presentation(s) 25%
  • Term paper 35%
  • Final exam 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

J. D. Angrist and J.-S. Pischke “Mastering ‘Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect,” Princeton University Press (2014).

RECOMMENDED READING:

J. D. Angrist and J.-S. Pischke “Mostly Harmless Econometrics,” Princeton University Press (2008).  

In addition to the texts, we will read a lot of papers. You will each be responsible for presenting some of these papers to the class.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

***  NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Students requiring  accomodations as a result of a disability must contact the  Centre for Students with Disabilities  at 778 782 3112 or csdo@sfu.ca 

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS