HS 419F — Labor Economics as Applied to Social Policy

Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.

Introduces theory of the economics of labor markets and uses theory to analyze current policy topics. We will work through the basics of economists' theory of demand for labor (derived demand based on producer choices); supply of labor (individual decisions to work); human capital investment by individuals (education and training) and firms (on-the-job training); and labor market segmentation and discrimination. Theoretical models based in labor economics should be useful to students studying income distribution and inequality, especially because policy in these arenas has been heavily influenced by economists. Usually offered every year.
Lisa Lynch