Universität Wien

040289 UK Gender Economics (BA) (2020W)

8.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 24 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The lectures will be recorded and available in moodle after each class.

  • Monday 05.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 06.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 12.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 13.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 19.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 20.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 03.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 09.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 10.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 16.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 17.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 23.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 24.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 30.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 01.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 07.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 14.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 15.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 11.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 12.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 18.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 19.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Monday 25.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 26.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Course description: This course is for bachelor students and covers selected topics in applied economics. We explore the determinants of gender specific differences in the labor market and discuss theoretical aspects as well as empirical and experimental evidence of gender wage differences. Topics covered in this course include women in the work force, wage differences and wage discrimination. We also discuss the effect of competition on discrimination as well as psychological and socio-psychological factors regarding gender differences in risk preferences, in attitudes towards competition, and in attitudes towards negotiation. Based on the identified determinants we analyze policies to increase female labor force participation and reduce the gender wage gap. We also discuss how to implement such polices.

Aim: The aim of this course is to expand students’ knowledge in the field of gender economics. Using empirical, experimental and theoretical papers, students should learn how to identify the determinants of the gender wage gap and how to analyze policies to reduce this gap. After taking the course students should also be able to read and understand project reports and journal articles that make use of the concepts and methods that are introduced in the course. Students should also learn how to apply theoretical and empirical concepts in gender economics to real world cases. Students should further extend their ability to effectively structure and communicate economic content in written form to audiences from academia, government and business.

Method: The course will be taught through a combination of lectures, students' presentations and discussions. The first part of the course gives an overview to the field of gender economics and includes lectures on household theory, labor supply and household production, wage determinants, theories of discrimination, empirical methods and results. The second part of the course consists of students’ presentations on empirical and experimental evidence on wage differences.

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment will be based on a presentation of a paper (30%), a summary of the presented paper (30%), a take home final (30%) and participation in the online class (10%).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students are required to solve one problem set (30%), write one exam (30%), present one paper (30%), and participate actively in the online class (10%). For each of these four components, they can receive between 0 and 100 points. The final number of points is the weighted sum of the four components rounded to one digit. To receive a positive grade, the final number of points has then to be at least 50.1. The grade is 1 (2, 3, 4 and 5), if the final number of points is 87.6-100 (75.1-87.5, 62.6-75, 50.1-62.5 and 0-50).

Examination topics

This course has two parts. The first part of the seminar will give an introduction and overview; the second part of the seminar consists of students’ presentations.

Following topics are covered in the introduction and overview: household theory, labor supply and household production; wage determinants: compensating wage differentials, human capital theory; theories of discrimination: "taste for discrimination", statistical discrimination; empirical methods and results. Students’ presentations cover topics as empirical evidence for wage differences between women and men; preferences and investment into human capital, career interruptions, intra-household allocation; evidence of discrimination; differences in preferences (risk aversion), wage negotiations, competition; nature vs. nurture and the role of education; effect of psychological factors.

Reading list

Basic Literature
Altonji, Joseph G. and Rebecca M. Blank (1999): Race and Gender in the Labor Market, in: Orley Ashenfelter and David Card, Handbook of Labor Economics, Volume 3C, North Holland, Amsterdam, p. 3143-3257.
Bertrand, Marianne (2010): New Perspectives on Gender, Handbook of Labor Economics. Vol. 4B. North-Holland, pp. 1545-1592.
Blau, Francine D., Nancy Ferber und Anne Winkler (2006): Economics of men, women and work, Fifth edition, Prentice-Hall.
Ehrenberg, Ronald G. and Robert S. Smith (2006): Modern Labor Economics, Theory and Public Policy, 8th Edition, Addison Wesley, Boston.
Literature for students’ presentations will be announced separately.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:12