Rutgers University--Newark
Economics 304 (01)
Fall 1999
Course Syllabus for Labor Economics
Professor John W. Graham
821 Hill Hall (Telephone with answering machine: 973-353-5354)
Office Hours: Mondays 1:30-2:30 and Wednesdays 11:30-12:00
E-mail: jwgraham@andromeda.rutgers.edu
Internet: http://newark.rutgers.edu/~jwgraham/
Textbook: Modern Labor Economics by Ronald G. Ehrenberg
and Robert S. Smith,
Addison-Wesley, 1997, 6th edition.
In addition to the textbook, there will be several articles assigned
throughout the semester. These will be handed out or accessible over
the internet.
Course Requirements:There will be two exams, each worth one-
third of your grade. The final third will be based upon four homework
assignments, with the lowest homework grade dropped. No late homeworks
will be accepted for any reason. If you miss an exam, you
must notify me within 24 hours to arrange a make-up exam. No extra
credit work is offered. Regular class attendance and participation
are expected of everyone.
Schedule of Readings, Lectures, Examinations:
Date: Lecture: Readings:
9/1 Introduction Ch 1
9/8 & 13 Overview of the Labor Market Ch 2
9/15 & 20 The Demand for Labor Ch 3
9/22 Labor Demand Elasticities Ch 4
9/27 & 29 Other topics in Labor Demand Ch 5 (pp 140-151 only)
Summers AER article 5-99
10/4 & 6 The Supply of Labor Ch 6
10/11 & 13 Other Topics in Labor Supply Ch 7
10/18 Review for Midterm
10/20 Midterm Examination
10/25 & 27 Compensating Wage Differentials Ch 8
11/1 & 3 Human Capital: Education&Training Ch 9 and pp 151-172
11/8 & 10 Worker Mobility Ch 10
11/15 & 17 Pay and Productivity Ch 11
11/22 & 29 Gender and Race Issues Ch 12
12/1 Labor Market Discrimination
12/6 & 8 Inequality in Earnings Ch 14
12/13 Review for second midterm
12/20 Second Midterm Examination (8:30-11:30)