Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - ECON 881 G100

Labor Economics (4)

Class Number: 1824

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 1:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Theoretical and empirical methods in labour economics. Topics may include static and dynamic models of labor supply and demand, human capital investment, wage determination, inequality, identification strategies, and causal inference.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is a graduate course in labour economics. The course teaches core topics in the field of labor economics, empirical methods used in applied microeconomics, and will introduce students to current research areas in empirical labour economics. 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 25%
  • Paper proposal / literature review 25%
  • Paper 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

J. 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.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.