Economics: Topics in Labor Economics

Topics such as labor-management relations, aspects of contemporary labor markets, discrimination, economics of education, and other aspects of the economics of gender and race. Includes a substantial writing component. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. May be repeated for credit with different content. Prerequisites: STAT 1410, ECON 2400, and ECON 2450.

Prereqs enforced by the system: ECON 2400 and ECON 2450 and STAT 1410 PACE students by permission and override

This course explores advanced topics in labor economics, with an emphasis on the evolving structure and dynamics of labor markets. Drawing on both theoretical frameworks and empirical research, the course examines how factors such as education, discrimination, public policy, technological change, and demographic shifts affect employment, wages, and economic opportunity. Special attention is given to issues of inequality, labor market segmentation, and the changing nature of work—including the rise of the gig economy, remote work, and automation. Through critical engagement with academic literature, data analysis, and discussion of contemporary case studies, students will deepen their understanding of labor market behavior and the economic forces shaping it.

Engage Critically with Labor Economics Research Analyze and interpret contemporary academic literature on labor markets, identifying key arguments, methodologies, and policy implications. Understand Labor Market Dynamics Explain how labor supply and demand, human capital investment, and institutional factors affect employment, earnings, and job quality. Evaluate Policy Interventions Assess the impact of government policies—such as minimum wage laws, unemployment insurance, family leave, and anti-discrimination legislation—on labor market outcomes. Examine Inequality and Discrimination Investigate how race, gender, class, and immigration status influence labor market experiences and contribute to economic disparities. Interpret Empirical Evidence Develop skills in interpreting and using labor market data, including conducting descriptive and regression-based analyses relevant to course topics. Participate in Scholarly Dialogue Contribute thoughtfully to class discussions and debates, demonstrating an ability to communicate economic reasoning and engage with differing perspectives. Produce Research-Based Work Complete a research paper or project that synthesizes theory and empirical evidence on a labor economics topic of the student's choice, with instructor guidance.

Your final grade in Topics in Labor Economics will be determined by a combination of exams, written assignments, presentations, and applied research activities. The breakdown is as follows: Exam 1 is worth 25%, Exam 2 is also worth 25%, Weekly Literature Reviews account for 10%, Presentations make up 15%, the Research Proposal is worth 15%, and the Data Analysis assignment contributes 10%. Altogether, these components total 100%. Exams (25% each): There will be two essay-style exams. Exam 1, scheduled for the third week of October, covers material from the first half of the course. Exam 2, held at the end of the semester, focuses on the second half. Both assessments will test your ability to explain, analyze, and apply key concepts from the readings and discussions. Weekly Literature Reviews (10%): Each week, you will submit a written summary of the assigned readings—typically papers or book chapters related to the week’s topic. These summaries are due on Mondays and should demonstrate your understanding of the material. Your performance on these will also reflect your engagement during class discussions, which are informed by the presentations and readings. Presentations (15%): Throughout the semester, students will work in pairs to present assigned papers or chapters, serving as discussion leaders for that week. Each student is expected to participate in approximately six presentations. Presenters are responsible for summarizing key findings, explaining methods, and guiding the discussion. While perfect comprehension of all technical details is not required, presenters should convey the core ideas effectively. Participation during discussions also factors into this component, and points may be deducted for consistent lack of engagement. Research Proposal (15%): By the end of the semester, you will submit a research proposal on a labor economics topic of your choice. The proposal should define a clear research question, explain its relevance, review relevant literature, and include a basic data analysis using key economic variables. The goal is to help you think critically about research design in applied microeconomics, even if the empirical work remains preliminary. Data Analysis Assignment (10%): This assignment will involve replicating or extending results from published studies using real-world data. We will begin with basic Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression techniques and then move into non-experimental methods. You will use datasets from replication packages and follow guided exercises that illustrate empirical strategies used in labor economics research. Instructions on software and datasets will be provided. Final Grades: Final letter grades will be based on your overall percentage across all course components. The grading scale is as follows: A: 90–100% (Outstanding performance, demonstrating comprehensive understanding and critical insight); A-: 85–89% (Very strong performance, with minor areas for improvement); B+: 80–84% (Good grasp of concepts, with some areas needing further attention); B: 75–79% (Competent performance with noticeable gaps); B-: 70–74% (Moderate understanding with significant areas for improvement); C: 65–69% (Marginally acceptable performance); F: Below 65% (Insufficient engagement or comprehension of the course material).