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Program Type: 
Non Thesis
Course Code: 
ECON 533
Course Type: 
Elective
P: 
3
Lab: 
0
Credits: 
3
ECTS: 
10
Course Language: 
English
Course Coordinator: 
Courses given by: 
Course Objectives: 

The aim of this course is to acquaint students with traditional topics in labor economics and to encourage the development of independent research interests. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: (1) Demonstrate an understanding of basic labor economics theory, including labor market structures and wage determination. (2) Apply their understanding of theoretical models to analyze trends in data pertaining to topics in labor economics. (3) Construct, defend, and analyze important labor policy issues. (4) Comprehend, assess, and criticize existing empirical work in labor economics.

Course Content: 

This course examines the development of the theories of labor supply, labor demand, and human capital in a systematic manner. Topics include wage and employment determination, labor turnover, job search, immigration, unemployment, equalizing differences, and institutions in the labor market.

Teaching Methods: 
1: Lecture, 2: Question-Answer, 3: Discussion
Assessment Methods: 
A: Testing, C: Homework, Q: Quiz

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

1. To analyze the labor markets in the world and in Turkey and evaluate the differences between the developed countries and the others.
2. To learn and suggest policies and applications necessary for labor markets.
3. To acquire the ability of interpreting, analyzing and presenting the results of the research related to labor, and answering the addressed questions.
4. To understand the unemployment problems that the developing and less developed countries are facing in their labor markets and to be able to discuss the required changes that need to be made to avoid the divergence trend between such countries, and to produce solutions.
5. To be able to analyze and compare countries, examine case studies, and plan the steps for further equality.
6. To analyze how the concepts such as income and gender inequality and poverty in developing countries are affected by the changes in other world economies and develop a plan in order to avoid these negative effects.

Course Flow

Week Topics Study Materials
1 The Theory of Individual Labor Supply  
2 Population, Participation Rates, and Hours of Work  
3 Labor Quality: Investing in Human Capital  
4 The Demand for Labor  
5 Wage Determination and the Allocation of Labor  
6 Mobility, Migration, and Efficiency  
7 Labor Unions and Collective Bargaining – MIDTERM  
8 Government and the Labor Market: Employment, Expenditures, and Taxation  
9 The Economic Impact of Unions  
10 Labor Market Discrimination  
11 Job Search: External and Internal  
12 The Distribution of Personal Earnings  
13 Labor Productivity: Wages, Prices, and Employment  
14 Employment and Unemployment  

Recommended Sources

Textbook To be announced at the beginning of the course.
Additional Resources  

Material Sharing

Documents A number of articles will be handed out throughout the term.
Assignments To be given throughout the term.
Exams Exams The performance of the students will be determined by two written exams (a term exam and a final) and an assignment.

Assessment

IN-TERM STUDIES   PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms 1 40
Quizzes (attendance, presentation, etc.) 1 10
Assignments 1 50
  Total 100
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade   50
Contribution of In-Term Studies to Overall Grade   50
  Total 100

Course’s Contribution to Program

No Program Learning Outcomes Contribution
    1 2 3 4 5
1 Formulate and develop a critical and comprehensive understanding of global and national economic problems, and construct and design practical solutions;         x
2 Extract information and concepts from various disciplines in social sciences and integrate them under the rubric of economics;         x
3 Construct testable hypotheses to find original, practical solutions to various social ills and problems;         x
4 Develop an analytical understanding of economic problems, and the ability to evaluate the inherent logic, assumptions and conclusions of alternative approaches;         x
5 Develop the necessary technical skills to evaluate alternative approaches in economics;       x  
6 Formulate research projects, plan and conduct research in social sciences in general and in economics in particular;         x
7 Present the results of their research in national and international conferences and in scientific and professional venues;       x  
8 Apply the scientific / academic modes of thought and analysis to their professional lives and form a bridge between the analytical and abstract modes of thinking of academia and the practical and dynamic skills of business life;         x
9 Nurture and develop the analytical and technical skills necessary to continue their studies at a Ph.D. level, either in Turkey or elsewhere around the globe.         x

ECTS

Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration (Including the Exam Week: 15 x total course hours) 15 3 45
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 15 10 150
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Quizzes (attendance, presentation, etc.) 1 25 25
Assignments 0 0 0
Final Examination 1 15 15
Total Work Load     245
Total Work Load / 25 (s)     9.8
ECTS Credit of the Course     10