Ateneo - UPO

Work is fundamental in the life of individuals and for social well-being. The course of Labour Economics analyses the decisions of workers and firms with respect to supply and demand for labour and how these decisions interact in the labour market. Since this market is very different from those in which goods and services are exchanged, the teaching considers also the role that institutions and public intervention play in it. In analysing this complex reality, the teaching will constantly examine the "facts", to describe them and to illustrate the relationships that characterize them, so as to provide an interpretation of reality with reference to the main industrialized economies.

George Borjas, Labor Economics, 7th Edition, Mc Graw Hill, 2016
- Material suggested during the lectures
For further information, please consult the course page on D.I.R.: https://www.dir.uniupo.it/

The course of labour economics aims to ensure that students know, understand and are able to analyse, also expressing independent judgments, the main issues concerning the agents’ behaviour and the functioning of the labour market, as well as the role of the policy maker.

Micro- and Macroeconomics

To reach the objectives of the course, the following teaching methods will be adopted:
• Lectures, to illustrate the main arguments that the students should know;
• Exercises in order to deepen the understanding of students about course content;
• Testimonials, so that students can meet and interact with experts to understand how the knowledge acquired during the course is met in practice;
• Presentations by group of students to verify their capacity of analysis, synthesis, critical judgement and communication.

Class attendance is optional but recommended.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam is written.
Students have to answer to 3 open questions within 45 minutes (max 10 points per question).
The examination questions want to check if the student knows, understands and is able to use the theoretical models, in order to analyze the main themes, object of the course, and comment on the empirical evidence and the role played by the policy maker.
Students, which have actively attended most of the classes and sit the exam during the summer session, can substitute one question with a class presentation.

Labour Supply
Labour Demand
Labour Market Equilibrium
Compensating Wage Differentials
Labour Unions
Unemployment
Labour market regulation
The European employment strategy and Gender integration
Labor market reforms in Italy and in Europe
Italy and its labor market today

At the end of the course the students will have to know, understand and critically discuss the theoretical models that analyse how workers and firms make their main decisions regarding the offer of and demand for labour and how the resulting behaviours are reflected in the labour market equilibrium in terms of wages and employment. A further objective of the course is to let students analyse the role of institutions and discuss the main economic policy interventions, as well as reflect on empirical evidence with reference to the main industrialized countries.