ECONOMICS 4327/5327 -- LABOR ECONOMICS
SPRING 2008 INFORMATION SHEET
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr.
F. Steb Hipple, Professor of Economics
Office -- Room 304, Wilson Hall
Phone/Voicemail -- 423.439.5304
Fax -- 423.439.8583
Email -- hipples@etsu.edu
Website -- http://faculty.etsu.edu/hipples
Office Hours – After class meetings and by appointment.
TEXTBOOK:
Lloyd G. Reynolds,
MEETING TIMES:
Tuesday
and Thursday
Wilson Hall, Room 124; 9:45am-11:05am
COURSE DESCRIPTION
AND OBJECTIVES: This is a senior/graduate course in labor economics. The course
will cover both the institutional and theoretical aspects of the labor markets.
A special emphasis will be given to the role of labor unions and government
policies.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this course, the student will be able to (a) describe the
theoretical and real world operations of labor markets, (b) understand the
labor relations systems in the United States, Europe, and Japan, (c) identify
the linkages between labor economics and human resource management, (d)
understand the history and role of organized labor in the United States,
Europe, and Japan, (e) utilize labor market information for personal and
business applications, and (f) analyze and evaluate major issues in labor
relations such as labor law reform, wage inequality, and employment
discrimination.
COURSE
ORGANIZATION: The course is organized into five topic areas. After an
introduction to the field of labor economics, we will first look at the
institutional aspects of the workplace and the role of organized labor. This
will be followed by a theoretical analysis of the labor market. The course will
end with a review of some significant labor issues. The approximate number of
class meetings on each topic is shown in brackets. Examination dates are approximate.
I. INTRODUCTION TO LABOR ECONOMICS
Chapter 1. Labor Economics: Institutions and the Market [1]
Chapter 2. A First Look at Labor Markets [1]
II. AMERICAN WORKERS AND THEIR WORKPLACE
Chapter 9. Unemployment [2]
Chapter 10. American Workers in a World Economy [1]
Chapter 11. The Changing Workplace: Comparisons across Countries [2]
-- EXAM I (Thursday, February 7)
Chapter 12. Internal Labor Markets [1]
Chapter 13. Compensation [1]
III. THE ROLE OF LABOR UNIONS
Chapter 14. An Introduction to Unions [2]
Chapter 15. Unions, Politics, and the Law [2]
-- EXAM II (Tuesday, March 11)
Chapter 16. Bargaining [2]
Chapter 17.
IV. THE ECONOMIC THEORY OF LABOR MARKETS
Chapter 3. Labor Supply Decisions [1]
Chapter 4. Labor Demand [1]
-- EXAM III (Thursday, April 3)
Chapter 5. Human Capital: Education and Job Training [2]
Chapter 6. Real Wage Rates, Productivity, and Inequality [1]
V. ISSUES IN LABOR ECONOMICS
Chapter 7. Inequality and Discrimination [2]
Chapter 8. Equal Employment
Chapter 18. Labor Issues: Past, Present, and Future [1]
-- EXAM IV (Thursday, May 1, 8:00am)
CLASS
MEETINGS: Classes will begin Tuesday, January 15 and end Thursday, April 24. We
will not meet during Spring Break (Monday, March 3, to Friday, March 7). There
are a total of 28 scheduled class meetings. We will return during exam week for
the last hour examination.
PREPARATION:
Assigned chapters should be carefully read before class meetings. Class
lectures will focus on the theoretical and quantitative aspects of the textbook
material.
ATTENDANCE:
Due to the limited size of the class, it is important to attend every class
meeting if possible. Class roll will be taken at each class meeting; excessive
absences will result in a reduction in your overall semester grade.
EXAMS:
There will be four one-hour exams. Three exams will be given during the
semester; the last exam will be given during exam week. Make-up exams will be
given only in cases of extreme emergency. If you must be absent from a
regularly scheduled exam, please contact your instructor before the exam is
given. The exam format will include written definitions, problems, and essays.
Each exam will count 20% of the semester grade for undergraduate and graduate
students.
REPORTS:
Each undergraduate student will be responsible for presenting a report on a
topic in labor economics. The report topics will be assigned by the last week
of January. A list of six printed references (books and articles) will be due
by the second week of February, to be supplemented by material from the
internet. Reports will be given at the beginning of class meetings starting in
mid-March. Each report should take eight to 12 minutes and should include
appropriate presentation aids. The report grade will be based upon peer and
instructor evaluation and will equal 20% of the semester grade.
ECONOMICS
5327: Each graduate student will conduct a major research project on a topic in
labor economics. The research proposal (including a bibliography) is due by
mid-February. The research proposal will be presented to the class for
approval. Report presentations will be made during the last week of classes.
The graduate student is responsible for presenting the research results through
lecture and appropriate presentation aids. The project grade will be based upon
peer and instructor evaluation and will equal 20% of the semester grade.
GRADING: The scoring system for exams and reports is
numerical (0 to 100), while the semester grade is a letter. The letter ranges are:
"A" = 90 to 100; "B" = 80 to 89; etc. Plus
and minus grades show strong or weak performance within the letter range.
WEBSITE:
Please check our class website for announcements. Handout materials will also
be available at the website. Go to http://faculty.etsu.edu/hipples
HELP:
In addition my posted office hours, I will be happy to meet with you by
appointment. Please feel free to ask questions in class. Contact me for help on
reading assignments and projects. Have a good semester!