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36778-01 - Lecture: The Economics of Unemployment: Classical and Behavioral Approaches (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2015 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Conny Wunsch (conny.wunsch@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Content: We start with discussing classical job search theory to explain unemployment which is based on rational, perfectly forward looking jobseekers. However, often there is only incomplete knowledge of the returns to search. Many jobseekers are overly optimistic about how fast they can find a job and which type of job they can get. Subjective expectations and other soft factors such as self-confidence and motivation are therefore the focus of the second part of the course. Here we study alternative, in particular behavioural approaches to better explain job search outcomes and unemployment in modern economies. |
| Learning objectives | The objective of the course is to obtain a profound understanding of the economics of unemployment and how classical views have to be adjusted when behavioural aspects are taken into account. |
| Bibliography | Literature: Basic Reference: Pissarides, Christopher A. (2000): Equilibrium Unemployment Theory, 2nd ed., Cambridge (MA): MIT Press. Atkinson, Anthony B. and Micklewright John (1991): Unemployment Compensation and Labor Market Transitions: A Critical Review. Journal of Economic Literature, 29(4), pp. 1679-1727. Bénabou, Roland and Tirole, Jean (2003): Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation. The Review of Economic Studies, 70(3), pp. 489-520. Additional readings will be provided during the course. |
| Comments | The weekly lectures takes place in the first half of the term. On march 13th there will be no lecture. The last weekly lecture is on March 27th, 2015. On April 28th, 9.15- 12.00 we will discuss the written term papers. |
| Weblink | Weblink |
| Admission requirements | Requirements: The course makes use of models that will be solved using dynamic programming. Therefore, sudents need to have attended the course "Advanced Microeconomics" before starting this course. |
| Course application | Registration: Please enrol in MOnA. EUCOR-Students and Exchange-Students have to enrol at the students administration office (studsek@unibas.ch) within the official enrolment period. Enrolment = Registration for the exam! |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul Internationales Zusatzwissen (Master European Studies (Start of studies before 01.02.2015)) Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Arbeit, Migration und Gesellschaft (Master European Global Studies) Vertiefungsmodul Labour Economics, Human Resources and Organization (Master Business and Economics) |
| Assessment format | end-of-semester examination |
| Assessment details | Notes for the Assessment: Written term paper in groups of 2-4 students. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Registration: course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Business and Economics , studiendekanat-wwz@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Arbeitsmarktökonomie |