Labor Markets and Migration

The course will cover specific policy-relevant topics in labour economics and will examine them both from a theoretical and an empirical viewpoint. The course aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge and methods of analysis to:
- move beyond the standard static model of demand and supply of labour and learn about the different sources of labour market imperfections, their economic effects and the role of the policymaker in addressing the resulting inefficiencies;
- analyse different labour market institutions (e.g. minimum wages, employment protection legislation) and assess the role they play in modifying individual behaviours
- discuss some of the key challenges for contemporary labour markets, such as gender gasp and discrimination
- focus on the theoretical and empirical debate on the impact of immigration on host country economies.

At the end of the course students will be able to:
- understand alternative labour market models
- derive testable predictions from different labour market models
- evaluate the role of public policies (employment protection legislation, active labour market policies, minimum wages, etc. ) in reducing unemployment and improving labour market participation
- assess the role played by labour market institutions (unemployment subsidy, tax wedge, employment protection legislation) in modifying individual behaviours
- understand and critically assess the policy debate on the impact of immigration on host country economies.