Print Course syllabus
Course syllabus - Labour Economics
Scope
7.5 credits
Course code
NAA203
Valid from
Autumn semester 2026
Education level
First cycle
Progressive Specialisation
G1F (First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)
Main area(s)
Economics
Organisation
Department of Business and Mathematics
Ratified
2013-02-01
Revised
2025-11-03
Literature lists
Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.
-
Books
-
Books
Objectives
The course aims to present modern economic theory of labor markets with applications to labor market policy.
Learning outcomes
Labor economics is the study of the labor market from an economic perspective. Students learn to analyze how the interactions of the labor market agents, such as individuals, firms, organizations, and government, determines labor market participation, employment and unemployment, as well as wages and other aspects of labor contracts.
Course content
Labor supply and demand is studied, with applications to labor market participation, employment and working hours. A flow perspective of the labor market is applied to the analysis of job creation and destruction, job search and the matching of workers with vacant jobs. Various theories of wage determination are studied, e.g. compensating differences, human capital, and individual and centralized wage bargaining. The determinants of unemployment are treated from the perspectives of labor market friction, as in the theory of search and matching, and of wage formation, as in the theories of unions and efficiency wages. These theories are applied to questions of labor market policy.
Specific requirements
22,5 credits in Economics. In addition, Mathematics 3b or 3c or Mathematics C or Mathematics - Further level 1b or Mathematics - Further level 1c is required. In addition, Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3 and English course 6 or English level 2 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3 and Mathematics 3b or 3c or Mathematics C or Mathematics - Further level 1b or Mathematics - Further level 1c is required.
Examination
Examination (TEN1), 7.5 credits, marks Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG)
A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.
Grade
Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), Fail (U)