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Labour Economics (ECON90013)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 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

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • Evaluation of ideas, views and evidence
  • Synthesis of ideas, views and evidence
  • Critical thinking
  • Application of theory to economic policy and business decision-making
  • Summarise and interpretation of information
  • Statistical reasoning
  • Problem solving skills
  • Oral communication
  • Written communication

Last updated: 18 December 2024