labor syllabus

ECN 475/575 - LABOR ECONOMICS - Fall 2021

Instructor: Dr. W. David Allen My Website: cba.uah.edu/allend

Office: BAB306 Email: allend@uah.edu Phone: 824.6757

*If you wish to contact me outside of class and seek a response, email me! Do not attempt to contact me via Canvas; this will not work. I do not return student phone calls.

Office Hours: 1.00 pm - 2.15 pm, Tuesday/Thursday (also by appointment). I plan to be available at these times; I suggest you let me know before making a special trip.

Textbook: Ehrenberg and Smith, Modern Labor Economics [13]


COURSE OUTLINE

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Overview of the Labor Market and Labor Economics

Chapter 3 The Demand for Labor

Chapter 5 Labor Market Frictions and Labor Demand

Chapter 6 Labor Supply

Chapter 8 Compensating Wage Differentials

Chapter 11 Pay and Productivity

Chapter 12 Demographic Economics: Gender, Race, and Ethnicity


Important Dates:

Thursday, 2 September: Quiz 1 (20 points)

Thursday, 16 September: Quiz 2 (20 points)

Thursday, 23 September: Test 1 (101 points)

Thursday, 14 October: Quiz 3 (20 points)

Tuesday, 2 November: Quiz 4 (20 points)

Tuesday, 9 November: Test 2 (101 points)

Tuesday, 30 November: Quiz 5 (20 points)

Tuesday, 7 December: Test 3 (120 points), 3pm


Information:

HOMEWORK SETS

Expect 3-4 homework sets, worth 20 points each, during the semester. You will always have one full week to complete a homework set, and you will be given two opportunities to receive it. If you miss class when a homework set is assigned, you will receive a score of 0 on that homework set. There are no exceptions. Homework sets allow you practice in the application of quantitative methods (mainly algebra) to concepts in labor economics. The best preparation for homework sets? Regular attendance, so that you can receive the homework sets and see examples of the types of analysis they require. LATE HOMEWORK POLICY: Remember, a homework set may be turned in for points only if it has been received in class on one of the two days it was made available. A homework set is considered late if it is turned in after the class meeting in which the homework is due, as specified in the homework set’s instructions. Homework submitted same-day late (i.e., turned in after that class meeting but prior to the end of that day) will receive a deduction of 4 points. Homework submitted one-day late (i.e., submitted the day after the official due date) will receive a deduction of 8 points. I will not accept homework submitted later than this.

QUIZZES

Expect five 20-point quizzes on the dates specified above. If you miss class on the day of an announced quiz, you will receive a score of 0 for that quiz. I will not schedule make-ups for quizzes but will drop your lowest quiz score at the end of the semester. Quizzes allow you practice in thinking about the labor economic material we have been covering recently. They may contain multiple-choice or short-answer items. The best preparation for quizzes? Regular attendance, so that you will have full exposure to the concepts covered on the quizzes, and regular review of your class notes, so that you always have an understanding of concepts as the class progresses.

TESTS

Tests consist of multiple choice (Part 1) and essay/problem-solving items (Part 2). Part 2 items in particular emphasize your ability to reason and apply labor economic material rather than your ability to memorize or regurgitate your lecture notes. Quantitative items may appear in either section. The best preparation for tests? Regular attendance, full practice on homework sets, regular review of your class notes, and careful study of key review items, which I will provide prior to every test. Please note that I do not give out information about test scores or class grades over the telephone or any other media. If you suspect you will have to miss a test, you must contact me in advance to reschedule.


Grading:

For determination of grades, I will use the following scale: I generally consider scores of 80-100 as very good work and deserving of an A or, at worst, an A-minus. The B mark will range from 65-79. The C mark will range from 50-64. The D mark will range from 35-49. (Use the percentage equivalents for determining your current standing.) If you lose track of your scores, just let me know and I’ll help you fill in the blanks.


Note: If you are a graduate student, you will receive materials that outline additional requirements for this course.

For additional syllabus content, see Canvas.