ECONOMICS 4327/5327 -- LABOR ECONOMICS
SPRING 2011 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, Stanley H. Masters, and Colletta H.
Moser, Labor Economics and Labor Relations. Eleventh Edition. Prentice-Hall, 1998. ("Reynolds")
MEETING
TIMES:
Tuesday and Thursday
Sam Wilson Hall, Room
343; 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 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 (SYLLABUS): 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 (Tuesday, February 8)
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 (Thursday, March 3)
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 (Tuesday, April 5)
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 5, 8:00am)
CLASS MEETINGS:
Classes will begin Thursday, January 13 and end Friday, April 29. We will not
meet during Spring Break (Monday, March 7, to Friday, March 11). There are a
total of 29 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!