This course provides a theoretical and empirical discussion of labour markets. Main topics to be discussed are: labour supply, including determinants of labour market participation and hours of works; investments in human capital and returns to education; labour demand; labour market equilibrium and wage determination; discrimination in the labour makets; internal labour markets; trade unions, and macroeconomic issues related to wages and unemployment. Policy application questions will be covered whenever appropriate.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- apply economic analysis to a wide range of labour market issues;
- be exposed to the empirical analysis of contemporary issues in labour economics;
- be able to examine a number of important policy issues.
Research-Led Teaching
Almost all of the materials discussed in this course are based on previous research. Researchers have conducted surveys and experiments to understand the behaviour of agents on the labour market as well as how these agents interact with each other. Based on these evidences, this course prepares students for applying economic insights to think about labour market behaviour and policy.
Examination Material or equipment
Details about the material or equipment that is permitted in an examination room will be updated on course wattle, “Exams related” section
Recommended Resources
· Labor Economics 7th edition, Borjas, George J., McGraw-Hill Education
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
· written comments
· verbal comments
· feedback to the whole class
· to groups
· to individuals
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.
Other Information
Course Description
This course's main topics include labour supply (such as, determinants of labour market participation and hours of works; investments in human capital and returns to education); labour demand; labour market equilibrium and wage determination; discrimination in the labour markets; internal labour markets; trade unions, and macroeconomic issues related to wages and unemployment. Policy application questions will be covered whenever appropriate.
Other Information
RSE has a Frequently Asked Questions page where you can find relevant policies and information on a broad range of topics
https://www.rse.anu.edu.au/students/students/frequently-asked-questions/
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Introduction to labour economics (chapter 1) and labour supply (chapter 2, 2.1-2.5) | no tutorial |
2 | Labour supply (chapter 2, 2.6-2.13) | tutorial |
3 | Labour demand (chapter 3) | tutorial, assignment 1 due by Friday 5pm |
4 | Labour market equilibrium (chapter 4) | tutorial |
5 | Compensating wage differentials (chapter 5) | tutorial, assignment 1 returned by Monday 5pm |
6 | Human capital (chapter 6) | tutorial, assignment 2 due by Friday 5pm |
7 | Wage structure (chapter 7) | tutorial |
8 | Labour mobility (chapter 8) | tutorial, assignment 2 returned by Monday 5pm |
9 | Labour market discrimination (chapter 9) | tutorial, assignment 3 due by Friday 5pm |
10 | Labour union (chapter 10) | tutorial |
11 | Incentive pay (chapter 11) | tutorial, assignment 3 returned by Monday 5pm |
12 | Unemployment (chapter 12) | tutorial |
13 | Examination period | Final exam |
Tutorial Registration
Tutorial Seminar Registration
Tutorial signup for this course will be done via the Wattle website. Detailed information about signup times will be provided on Wattle or during your first lecture. When tutorials are available for enrolment, follow these steps:
1. Log on to Wattle, and go to the course site
2. Click on the link “Tutorial enrolment”
3. On the right of the screen, click on the tab “Become Member of…..” for the tutorial class you wish to enter
4. Confirm your choice
If you need to change your enrolment, you will be able to do so by clicking on the tab “Leave group….” and then re-enrol in another group. You will not be able to enrol in
groups that have reached their maximum number. Please note that enrolment in ISIS must be finalised for you to have access to Wattle.
groups that have reached their maximum number. Please note that enrolment in ISIS must be finalised for you to have access to Wattle.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assignment 1 | 15 % | 15/03/2019 | 25/03/2019 | 1.2.3 |
Assignment 2 | 15 % | 05/04/2019 | 29/04/2019 | 1.2.3 |
Assignment 3 | 15 % | 10/05/2019 | 20/05/2019 | 1.2.3 |
Final Exam | 55 % | 06/06/2019 | 04/07/2019 | 1.2.3 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Participation
Active participation and discussion will be expected. This is an on-campus course. Attendance at all teaching events, while not compulsory, is expected in line with “Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning”, clause 2 paragraph (b).
Examination(s)
There will be a formal final exam for this course. Details will be announced through Wattle and on class.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1.2.3
Assignment 1
- find an article on a chosen topic, write a short summary of the article, and write a critical comment on the article.
- draw graphs based on data extracted online and interpret the graphs.
- practice solving individuals' labour supply problems under various circumstances.
This is an assignment to be done individually. The data for point 2 will be provided by the convener. More details will be provided on course wattle later.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1.2.3
Assignment 2
- write a policy recommendation on the topics of your choice;
- practice solving numeric problems of labour supply, labour demand and labour market equilibrium.
This is an assignment to be done individually. More details will be provided on course wattle later.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1.2.3
Assignment 3
- write a summary of an article of your choice from a given set of articles;
- practice solving numeric problems related to the topics covered;
- practice discussing issues related to the topics covered.
This is an assignment to be done individually. More details will be provided on course wattle later.
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1.2.3
Final Exam
The final exam will cover all the materials discussed throughout the semester. This is an exam to be done individually. Details will be announced through course Wattle later.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.
Returning Assignments
Through Turnitin
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Resubmission of Assignments
Students wish to resubmit some or all assignments will need to get the permission from the course convenor
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research InterestsLabour economics, public policy, applied econometrics, Chinese economics |
AsPr Kailing Shen
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
AsPr Kailing Shen
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