Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - ECON 280 D100

Introduction to Labor Economics (3)

Class Number: 4442

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 103 or 200 and 105 or 205.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Basic analysis of the labor market and the industrial relations system with emphasis on the major issues of public policy in Canada. Students who have taken COMM 280, ECON 301, 305 or 381 may not take ECON 280 for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

An introduction to economic theory and empirical work in the context of labour markets. We will discuss basic analysis of the labour market and industrial relations systems, with emphasis on major issues in public policy. There will be required readings from the textbook.

The ultimate goal of the course is to sharpen your economic thinking and develop a critical sense of how to evaluate labour market policy. We will find that policy assessment is crucially based on some economic model in the back of your mind. I hope to bring this insight to the front of your mind. We will spend considerable time evaluating models in the context of policy, and policy in the context of models.

Grading

  • Assignments 50%
  • Quizzes 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Drost and Hird, An Introduction to the Canadian Labour Market, Nelson. 4th edition, 2014.


ISBN: 9780176670023

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released in February. This will allow students to avoid enrollment conflicts, and will significantly reduce instances of exam hardship. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the final exam period of April 14 - 26 until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

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

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).