Dr Rui Vieira-Marques 32L.2.36 and Dr Guy Michaels 32L.2.10

This course is available on the MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, MSc in Economics and MSc in Economics (2 Year Programme). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Students must have completed Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics (EC400).

In exceptional circumstances, students may take this course without EC400 provided they meet the necessary requirements and have received approval from the course conveners (via a face to face meeting), the MSc Economics Programme Director and their own Programme Director. Contact the Department of Economics for more information (econ.msc@lse.ac.uk) regarding entry to this course.

An advanced course in labour economics issues, including theory, evidence and policy. The aim of the course is to familiarise students with main theoretical and empirical issues in current labour economics, and to provide them with the tools for developing independent research interests. The course has a strong applied focus. For each major topic covered we will derive testable implications, provide insights into the research methodology, discuss the advantages and limitations of existing empirical work, and draw policy conclusions. Topics include: labour supply, labour demand, market power of firms and workers, wage determination, unemployment, minimum wage, compensating differentials, human capital and returns to schooling, discrimination, the changing distribution of earnings and the future of work, and immigration.

20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the MT. 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the LT.

Two marked assignments per term.

Most of the reading is from journal articles. A detailed reading list is available on Moodle.

Exam (25%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the January exam period.
Exam (25%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Essay (50%, 6000 words) in the ST.

The Lent Term Week 0 examination is based on the Michaelmas Term syllabus, and the Summer Term examination is based on the Lent Term syllabus.