Labour Economics

Course content

The course in labor economics is supposed to enable students to read and understand current and previous research in labor economics, discuss policy proposals from the perspective of labor economics and reflect critically on new theories and empirical evidence.

 

The course covers the following topics:

  • Labor supply and demand
  • Education and human capital
  • Wage formation and wage bargaining
  • Job search, unemployment and job reallocation
  • Active labor market policies
  • Flexicurity and employment protection
Education

MSc programme in Economics – elective course

The PhD Programme in Economics at the Department of Economics:

  • The course is an elective course with research module. In order to register for the research module and to be able to write the research assignment, the PhD students must contact the study administration AND the lecturer.

 

The course is open to:

  • Exchange and Guest students from abroad
  • Credit students from Danish Universities
  • Open University students
Learning outcome

After completing the course the student is expected to be able to:

 

Knowledge:

  • Describe the following theories and concepts:
    • The neoclassical theory of labor supply
    • The neoclassical theory of labor demand
    • General and specific human capital
    • Different types of wage determination
    • Search and matching models of the labor market

Skills:

  • Apply the concepts and theories listed above in the analysis of concrete empirical phenomena and policy proposals
  • Evaluate differences and similarities between the theories and concepts listed above
  • Assess an empirical research design and how to develop arguments supporting or critizing the empirical strategy

 

Competences:

  • Apply and extend theoretical labor market models with the view to understanding real world issues.
  • Construct and defend arguments on issues related to labor economics.

Lectures and in-class discussion.

There will be office hours. The lecturers will inform you in Absalon.

Cahuc, P., S. Carcillo, and A. Zylberberg (2014), “Labor Economics”, MIT Press, ISBN: 9780262027700.

The textbook will be supplemented by lecture notes, slides and a few journal articles.

Pre-requisites are the bachelor-level econometrics course Econometrics I (Økonometri I) at the Bachelor programme in Economics, University of Copenhagen, or equivalent.

It is strongly recommended to have followed the course Microeconomics III at the Study of Economics, University of Copenhagen, or equivalent prior taking "Labour Economics".

Schedule:
2 hours lectures 1 to 2 times a week from week 6 to 20.

Oral
Collective
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment, 12 hours
Type of assessment details
individual. Max 10 standard pages.
Examination prerequisites

There are no requirements that the student has to fulfill during the course to be able to sit the exam.

Aid
All aids allowed

Use of AI tools is permitted. You must explain how you have used the tools. When text is solely or mainly generated by an AI tool, the tool used must be quoted as a source.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
for the written exam.
The oral re-examination may be with external assessment.
Exam period

Exam information:
The examination date can be found in the exam schedule  here

The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester. 

More information about examination, rules, aids etc. at Master (UK) and Master (DK).

Re-exam

20 minutes oral examination without preparation time.

No aids are allowed at the oral examination.

 

Reexam information:

The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule  here

Examination Dates can be found  here

More information in Digital Exam.

Criteria for exam assessment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

In order to obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

 

In order to obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of  the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

Single subject courses (day)

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 152
  • Exam
  • 12
  • English
  • 206

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
AØKA08065U
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Programme level
Full Degree Master
Ph.D.
Duration

1 semester

Placement
Autumn And Spring
Price

Information about admission and tuition fee: Master and Exchange Programme, credit students and guest students (Open University)

Studyboard
Department of Economics, Study Council
Contracting department
  • Department of Economics
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
  • Daphné Jocelyne Skandalis   (16-6966756d736a33787066736966716e78456a68747333707a336970)
Teacher

See ‘Course coordinators’

Saved on the 30-04-2025

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