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Labour Economics - ECON 2280 S10

Spring, 2022

Surrey, Fir 1364/ online

We work, study, and live in a region south of the Fraser River which overlaps with the unceded traditional
and ancestral lands of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt and
Kwikwetlem peoples.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
NAME Dr. Sophie Zhou

EMAIL sophie.zhou@kpu.ca

OFFICE LOCATION TBA

OFFICE HOURS By appointment

RESPONSE TIME Within the next workday

INSTRUCTOR POLICIES

1. Late assignments/quizzes are not accepted.

2. Attendance is mandatory.

3. If you miss an exam due to medical reasons, you must contact the instructor prior to the exam to
discuss alternative arrangements and present your proofs. If you fail to notify the instructor in advance or
present solid proof for the reason of missing the exam, you will receive zero for that exam.
If you will be missing a graded evaluation due to medical reasons, you are required to produce a note from a
physician. The note must clearly state the reason and dates that you are unable to satisfy course requirements. The
University reserves the right to contact the physician’s office, not to discuss confidential specifics, but to verify that
the note is legitimate.  Accommodation may require the student to write an exam in the Testing Centre and the
invigilation fee (currently $30) is the student’s responsibility.

COURSE INFORMATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course, you will apply economic tools and theory to the decision-making processes that underlie
the supply of, and the demand for labour in the Canadian economy, with emphasis on the role of labour
markets in determining wages and employment levels. This course will also help you better target the
job market after graduation, since you will also learn how to analyze labour market indicators in
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different Canada Provinces. Ultimately, you will analyze relevant labour market structures, theories that
predict the outcome of collective bargaining, and policies with respect to unemployment and
retraining.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this course, students will be able to
- Analyze the decision to supply labour effort and to demand labour input;
- Explain labour market equilibrium with respect to the optimal determination of wages and
employment levels;
- List and describe different labour market structures;
- Specify and analyze theories of collective bargaining;
- Explain existing policies designed to reduce unemployment;
- Analyze the labour market outcomes of a minimum wage;
- Discuss the role of immigration in labour supply
PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITES
Microeconomic Principles (ECON 1150) and Macroeconomic Principles (ECON 1150)
REQUIRED MATERIALS (TEXT, OTHER)
The main textbook for this course is:
LABOUR MARKET ECONOMICS, 9e, by Benjamin, Gunderson, Lemieux, and Riddell – ISBN
9781259104916; McGraw Hill. The textbook is available directly from the publisher’s website
https://www.mheducation.ca/labour-market-economics-9781259654848-can-group
You can also purchase a copy from the KPU library through
https://www.campusebookstore.com/integration/AccessCodes/default.aspx?
bookseller_id=184&Course=ECON+2280+S10+10565193+(2022ASUR)&frame=YES&t=permalink
Please purchase the “CONNECT” version if you would like access to practice questions in the textbook.
I have provided a document on Moodle to guide you on how to sign up.

Supplementary readings will be posted on Moodle as the semester goes.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Assessments Value
Moodle discussion forums 10%
3 quizzes 30% (10% each)
Midterm 25%
Final exam 35%

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS AND EVALUATION INFORMATION

EVALUATION INFORMATION DUE DATE (subject to change)

Final exam (paper based)
Note: If the class switches online, the
exam will be online as well. All
updates will be posted on Moodle.
The final exam is cumulative.
It will contain multiple choice
questions and short
answer/analytical questions.

Midterm (paper based) The midterm exam will cover Feb 18 in class

Note: If the class switches online, the
exam will be online as well. All
updates will be posted on Moodle.
Quizzes (online)
Moodle discussion forums
LINK TO KPU GRADING SYSTEM
LINK TO WITHDRAWAL DATES
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
3
chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 7.
It will contain multiple choice
questions and short
answer/analytical questions.
The online quizzes will contain Feb 10 at 11:59 pm
only multiple-choice questions. Mar 17 at 11:59 pm
Students will complete the Apr 7 at 11:59 pm
quizzes on their own before the
due dates.
There will be 4-5 discussion
forums posted throughout the TBA
semester. The forums will provide
you with opportunities to apply
theoretical tools to analyze
current events.
I do not only look for right
answers. What is equally
important is your critical-thinking
and analytical skills and the
amount of thought you put in.
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WEEK/Meeting LECTURE TOPIC READINGS Notes

data
1 Introduction to Labour Market Ch. 1
Jan 14 Economics
2 Labour supply Ch. 2
Jan 21
3 Labour supply (Cont’d) Ch. 2
Jan 28
4 Labour Supply and Public Policy Ch. 3
Feb 4 Labour Demand Ch. 5
5 Labour Demand (Cont’d) Ch. 5 Quiz 1 due at 11:59
Feb 11 Labour Market Equilibrium Ch. 7 pm Thursday Feb 10
6 Midterm (on chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 7)
Feb 18
7 Reading Break
8 Human Capital Theory Ch. 9
Mar 4
9 Labour Unions Ch. 14
Mar 11 Bargaining Theory
10 Union Impact Ch. 15 Quiz 2 due at 11:59
Mar 18 pm Thursday Mar 17
11 Unemployment Ch. 16
Mar 25
12 Phillips Curve Ch. 17
Apr 1
13 Revision week Quiz 3 due at 11:59
Apr 8 pm Thursday Apr 7
Final Exam April 22, 8:30 am

RESOURCES FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

ACADEMIC ADVISING

COUNSELLING SERVICES

THE LEARNING CENTRES

KPU ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MOODLE COURSE

STUDENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EARLY ALERT

UNIVERSITY/PROGRAM POLICIES
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KPU POLICIES :

HR15, ST 2, ST 7, ST11, ST 14, SR 14

PROGRAM POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES for KPU students