Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - ECON 881 G100

Labor Economics (4)

Class Number: 8021

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Fri, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 835.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Theoretical analysis of labor in the context of a national resource. Critical examination of the aspects of quantity, quality, allocation and utilization of human resources. Topics given particular attention include labor force participation, structural employment, human capital, incomes policies and the concept of an active manpower policy.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is a graduate course in labour economics, appropriate for graduate students in the Department of Economics and other students with appropriate preparation in microeconomic theory and econometrics. The course teaches core topics in the field of labor economics as well as empirical methods for applied microeconomic analysis.  Time permitting, topics will include: methods of causal inference; labour supply; human capital and the returns to education; wage inequality and labour market institutions; group differences in wages and labour market discrimination; and social mobility

Grading

  • Class presentation(s) 25%
  • Paper proposal/literature review 25%
  • Paper 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

D. Angrist and J.-S. Pischke “Mostly Harmless Econometrics: an Empiricist’s Companion,” Princeton University Press (2008).

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


Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

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 FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.