3 credits
Fall 2025 Lecture Upper Division
The purpose of this course is to introduce important topics, theories, institutions, and policy issues relating to the functioning of labor markets. Topics to be considered include labor supply decisions, investments in human capital, compensating wage differentials, labor contract theory, unions, compensation programs, signaling in labor markets, the economics of unemployment, and government employment, retirement, and workplace safety.
Learning Outcomes1Distinguish the major determinants of labor market participation and hours worked.
2Analyze how welfare programs and business cycles affect labor supply.
3Derive the short and long term demand for labor.
4Construct a detailed demand and supply model of the labor market.
5Find the equilibrium labor market outcomes in the context of the neoclassical model
6Analyze the role played by jobs' and workers' characteristics in generating wage differentials.
7Develop a schooling model that explains human capital investment.
8Distinguish factors that affect earnings inequality and labor market discrimination.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
Attachments
made by Purdue students.