Labour Economics (ECON40008)

HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This is an advanced subject in labour economics. Topics to be covered will include: overview of labour market outcomes in Australia; labour supply (including labour force participation, hours of work, and the effects of public policy); labour demand; human capital; labour market discrimination; unemployment; wage determination; earnings distributions; impact of unions. Other topics may include labour market flows (including the analysis of quits and layoffs), immigration, and employment structures within firms. In each topic relevant theory and empirical research (especially relevant Australian studies) will be examined.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • Describe the fundamental features of a labour market, its operation, and role in the economy;
  • Apply relevant microeconomic and macroeconomic theory to explain the main potential determinants of labour market outcomes;
  • Critically evaluate empirical evidence on the operation of labour markets, and on the main determinants of labour market outcomes;
  • Formulate simple theoretical models of the operation of the labour market, and design strategies for empirically testing theories

Generic skills

  • High level of development: application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis.

  • Moderate level of development: oral communication; written communication; problem solving; statistical reasoning; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

  • Some level of development: collaborative learning; team work.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • BH-COM Bachelor of Commerce (Degree with Honours)
  • Economics specialisation (formal) in the BH-ARTS Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours)

AND

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECOM40006 Econometrics 3
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ECON40001 Advanced Microeconomics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECON90013 Labour Economics
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Recommended background knowledge

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

One individual essay

  • 2000 words
Week 1210%

One in class presentation (individual) in an individually allocated time

  • 15 minutes
From Week 3 to Week 115%

Three problem sets (group), 6 pages each due in weeks 5, 8 and 11

  • 18 pages
From Week 5 to Week 1115%

End-of-semester examination

  • 2 hours
Hurdle requirement: To pass this subject students must pass the end of semester examination.		During the examination period70%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorCristiano Mantovani
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours170 hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    Cristiano Mantovani: cristiano.mantovani@unimelb.edu.au

     

Time commitment details

170 Hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025