Ateneo - UPO

Work is fundamental to individuals’ lives and to social well-being. The Labour Economics course examines the decisions made by workers and firms in terms of labour supply and labour demand, respectively, and how these decisions interact in the labour market. Since this market differs significantly from those in which goods and services are exchanged, the course also considers the role played by institutions and government intervention. In exploring this complex reality, the course consistently examines empirical evidence in order to describe it and analyse the relationships involved, thereby providing an interpretation of the labour market in the world’s major industrialised economies.

Pepi De Caleo and Brucchi Luchino, Manuale di economia del lavoro, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2015, Chapters I–V. Pasquale Tridico, Economia del lavoro, Mondadori Università, Milan, 2019, Chapters 11–13. Additional materials recommended during lectures. For further information, please visit the course page on D.I.R.: https://www.dir.uniupo.it/

The Labour Economics course aims to enable students to understand and analyse the main issues relating to the behaviour of economic agents, the functioning of the labour market, and economic policy interventions, while also developing the ability to form independent judgements.

None. However, the course will be easier for students who have passed the Micro- and Macroeconomics examinations.

To achieve the objectives of the Labour Economics course, the following teaching methods will be used: 1) Lectures covering the topics students are expected to learn; 2) Case discussions to ensure that knowledge is accompanied by an understanding of the main issues and by the ability to assess: a) how individuals and firms make decisions; b) economic policy interventions; 3) Seminars providing an opportunity to explore selected topics in greater depth; 4) Guest talks enabling students to engage with professionals and/or experts in the course subject areas and understand how the skills they acquire can be applied in the labour market; 5) Student presentations of group projects, possibly in English, to assess their analytical, summarising, critical-thinking, and communication skills. The course is worth 6 ECTS credits and requires a total workload of 150 hours: 45 hours of in-person teaching activities, comprising 33 hours of teacher-led instruction (DE) and 12 hours of interactive teaching (DI), and 105 hours of independent study. No distance learning activities are planned.

Attendance is optional but strongly recommended. Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request dedicated services and support by contacting the Student Career Development and Coordination and Student Services Staff and consulting the relevant page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa After contacting the relevant University staff, students with disabilities, SLDs, or SEN may contact the course lecturer to discuss appropriate examination arrangements and other teaching-related matters.

The examination consists of open-ended questions designed to assess whether students know, understand, and can apply the theoretical models used to analyse the main topics covered in the course, including when commenting on empirical evidence and economic policy interventions. The examination will be written. Students will have 45 minutes to answer three open-ended questions. Each of the three answers is awarded up to 10 points based on accuracy and completeness, the ability to apply theoretical models, and clarity of argument. The final grade is the sum of the scores: 0–17 fail; 18–21 satisfactory; 22–24 fair; 25–27 good; 28–30 excellent. Honours may be awarded for answers that are fully correct, complete, and particularly rigorous.

Labour supply. Labour demand. Labour market equilibrium under perfect competition. Labour market imperfections and unemployment. Labour market regulation. The European Employment Strategy. The gender dimension of the labour market: participation, employment, pay, and work–life balance policies. Labour market reforms in Italy and Europe, Italy and its labour market today.

By the end of the course, students should be able to understand and critically discuss the theoretical models that analyse how workers and firms make their key labour supply and labour demand decisions, and how the resulting behaviour affects labour market equilibrium in terms of wages and employment. A further objective of the course is to enable students to analyse the role of institutions, discuss the main economic policy interventions, and reflect on empirical evidence from the major industrialised countries.