Labour and Population Economics

Master 2024/2025

Type: Elective course (Population and Development)

Area of studies: Public Administration

Delivered by: Department of Applied Economics

Where: Faculty of Social Sciences

When: 2 year, 1 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Ksenia Rozhkova

Master’s programme: Population and Development

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Full Syllabus

Abstract

Labour and Population Economics is an applied course designed for Master’s students in Population and Development and other students, interested in social science and economic research. The course introduces students to traditional and contemporary topics in labour and population economics, with an emphasis on empirical methods and applied analysis. Topics covered include the functioning of the labour market, the supply and demand for labour, labour market institutions, wage structure and wage determination, human capital and the returns to education, and evaluation of labour market policies. The course also demonstrates selected topics in demographic and health behaviour in different contexts.On completion of the course, students will be able to understand the relationship between theory and empirical approaches to the labour market and population economics, acquire data analysis skills in applied labour market research, and apply empirical findings to policy issues. Though there are no strict prerequisites, decent knowledge of statistics and data management experience would be helpful.

Learning Objectives

Familiarising students with modern empirical approaches in labour and population economics;
Developing practical skills for real socio-economic data analysis;
Applying theoretical knowledge to the analysis of real processes in the labour market;
Developing the ability to discuss, argue and defend one's point of view on issues related to labour and population economics;
Developing he ability to plan and carry out independent empirical research.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Generating research hypotheses for applied labour market research
Organising effective forms of interpersonal communication to conduct micro-level analyses and present the results to a professional audience
Interpreting empirical results
Explaining investments in education in theoretical framework of human capital and signals
Selecting appropriate empirical tools to measure returns to education
Selecting appropriate empirical tools to measure policy effects in the labour market
Selecting appropriate empirical tools to measure wage inequality in the labour market

Course Contents

Introduction to labour and population economics
Labour supply
Labour demand. Labour market equilibrium
Wage structure. Human capital
Labour market policies and institutions
Gender economics. Family economics.
Technology

Assessment Elements

Quiz
Class participation
Project
Late submission is graded with a 30% penalty
Test

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 1st module
0.2 * Class participation + 0.4 * Project + 0.1 * Quiz + 0.3 * Test

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Blau, F. D., & Kahn, L. M. (2007). Changes in the Labor Supply Behavior of Married Women: 1980——2000. Journal of Labor Economics, 25(3), 393–438. https://doi.org/10.1086/513416
Daron Acemoglu. (2002). Technical Change, Inequality, and The Labor Market. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.F00BCF15
Labor economics, Borjas, G. J., 2015
Labor economics, Borjas, G., 2016
Nickell, S. (1997). Unemployment and Labor Market Rigidities: Europe versus North America. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 11(3), 55–74. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.11.3.55

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Angrist, J. D., & Pischke, J.-S. (2009). Mostly Harmless Econometrics : An Empiricist’s Companion. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=329761
David H. Autor, Lawrence F. Katz, & Melissa S. Kearney. (2008). Trends in U.S. Wage Inequality: Revising the Revisionists. The Review of Economics and Statistics, (2), 300. https://doi.org/10.1162/rest.90.2.300
Essentials of econometrics, Gujarati D, 1992
Grossman, M. (1972). On the Concept of Health Capital and the Demand for Health. Journal of Political Economy, 80(2), 223–255. https://doi.org/10.1086/259880
Michael Spence. (1973). Job Market Signaling. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, (3), 355. https://doi.org/10.2307/1882010
Pedro Carneiro, & James J. Heckman. (2003). Human Capital Policy. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.5D98E766

Authors

ROZHKOVA KSENIYA VIKTOROVNA

Course Syllabus