IFCO 2635 - Labor Markets in Practice – Theory, Empirical Evidence and Policies

The course introduces students to the recent research in labor economics, specifically research that introduce empirical stylized facts and findings about labor markets in a comparative perspective. The first part of the course describes how labor markets work. It provides scientific explanation as to: why people work, why firms create and destroy jobs, how salaries and wages are determined, how technological development, globalization, changes in demographical trends affect labor markets. The second part analyzes the consequences of labor market policies aiming at creating jobs and reducing inequalities.

Nourhan HASHISH,Moshe BUCHINSKY

Cours magistral seul

English

In each of the course lectures, selected students present a country study relying on recent papers by prominent labor economists published in the series, IZA World of Labor (https://wol.iza.org). These countries studies will be presented in 15 minutes and will be followed by a 15 minutes general discussion.

In principle, this introductory course does not require prior knowledge; it is intended for any student wishing to understand the functioning of labor markets and the consequences of employment policies that are derived from empirical studies. It provides the findings for a large group of countries around the globe. All necessary concepts will be explained in a fashion suited for educated individuals with little mathematical content.

Spring 2021-2022

The evaluation is based on two tests: (a) A five-page essay, possibly combined with an oral presentation, on the labor market situation of a specific country of choice over the past few decades (50% of the final grade); and (b) A five-page essay about a topic related to the material of the course (50% of the final grade). The essays, and the presentations, can be done either alone of by teams of two students. The assessment will depend on the clarity and originality of the demonstration of the issue and the reasoning of the claims made.