Syllabus for Economics C: Labour Economics

Nationalekonomi C: Arbetsmarknadsekonomi

A revised version of the syllabus is available.

Syllabus

  • 7.5 credits
  • Course code: 2NE771
  • Education cycle: First cycle
  • Main field(s) of study and in-depth level: Economics G2F

    Explanation of codes

    The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:

    First cycle

    • G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
    • G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
    • G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
    • GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

    Second cycle

    • A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
    • A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
    • AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

  • Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
  • Established: 2007-09-27
  • Established by:
  • Revised: 2020-02-11
  • Revised by: The Department Board
  • Applies from: Autumn 2020
  • Entry requirements:

    At least 52.5 credits from Economics A and B and 15 credits in statistics.

  • Responsible department: Department of Economics

Learning outcomes

The goal of the course is to present basic labour market theory with empirical applications for the Swedish labour market.

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

  • Explain basic labour market theory in a verbal, graphical and mathematical way.
  • Analyse the consequences of different kinds of public policy for the labour market
  • Apply labour market theory to the Swedish labour market.

Content

The labor market is of great importance for people's living conditions. Wages, employment and unemployment are determined by a complex interaction between individuals, companies, organisations and public authorities. Labor economics is the area of ​​economics where this interaction is studied.

The course presents modern labor market theory and in-depth examples from Swedish and international research. We discuss, among other things:

  • Why is there unemployment, and what determines workers´ wages? How do social insurance, income taxes and education systems affect who wants to work and how much they want to work?
  • What factors determine how many people a firm wants to hire? How, for example, is demand affected by minimum wages and payroll taxes? Will computers and robots take over our jobs?
  • How will different types of policies affect individuals and companies, and how does the labor market work as a whole? How does immigration affect the labor market, and what controls how well migrants succeed?

The course also addresses social issues closely linked to the labor market such as social mobility, school, health, crime and family formation.

Instruction

The instruction consists of lectures.

Assessment

The assessment consists of a written exam.

Syllabus Revisions

Reading list

Reading list

Applies from: Spring 2021

Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.

  • Borjas, George J. Labor economics

    7. ed., international ed.: New York: cop. 2016

    Find in the library

    Mandatory

  • Arbetsmarknaden Björklund, Anders; Edin, Per-Anders; Fredriksson, Peter; Holmlund, Bertil; Wadensjö, Eskil

    4. uppl.: Stockholm: Studentlitteratur, 2014

    Find in the library

    Mandatory

Reading list revisions

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