Fall 2013

Global Labor Markets

Director: Derek Jones, Professor of Economics
Phone: 315-859-4183
Email:  djones@hamilton.edu

In a dynamic and globalizing world, labor markets are experiencing profound changes. The structure of employment is continuously affected by technical change in the new economy. Employers seek to adjust their preferred skill mixes. Employees must choose appropriate levels of education and seek firms that provide preferred types of training. We will study these and similar questions using New York City as a resource for learning about these issues. Course work will focus on labor economics and employment and labor relations, and will include several field trips and guest lecturers.

Prerequisite: Economics 101-102 are required.

College 398 Seminar: Labor Economics

Examination of selected theoretical and empirical questions concerning the labor market. Applications will focus on New York City. Topics to include: what are labor markets?; who participates in the labor market and how intensively? Labor demand; human resource and compensation systems in different sectors; labor unions in the private and public sectors; regulated and unregulated work in NY city; unemployment; membership in labor unions; economic effects of unions. Prerequisite 102. Economics concentrators and minors may receive one credit equivalent to Economics 370 toward their concentration or minor.

College 396 Independent Study

A tutorial resulting in a substantial paper (30 pages) that integrates experience and learning from the internship with an academic perspective and knowledge gained in the seminars or other tutorial readings.

College 397 Internship

Work experience during four days a week that includes a journal or written account of that experience.

College 395 Hamilton in New York: Employment and Labor Relations in the Global City

An introduction to issues in the broad field of employment and labor relations. Definitions, methods and evolution of the field. The employment relationship and major institutions. Job security, working conditions, work-life balance, human resource management policies, including methods of compensation. Field trips to sites and cases to illustrate key historical events and contemporary issues.