The Economics of Labor Markets
ECN 3671 – The Economics of Labor Markets – Spring 2012
Term Paper Guidelines
In this term paper you will explore an issue in labor economics, relying on published academic research and the economic models we have developed in class to inform your analysis, as well as other sources of your choosing.
Topics
There is a very broad range of potential topics for this paper. The most important criteria for a topic is that it be of interest to you: something that sparks your curiosity, something related to a personal or professional area of interest, or something you would enjoy learning more about.
That being said, any topic in the Ehrenberg and Smith book is acceptable. There are many sidebar issues that are highlighted, and very complete references and footnotes which would make an easy starting point for a paper. You could find a topic in current events. See the list at the end of this handout for examples.
Submission Guidelines
Your paper should be 10 to 12 pages in length, excluding exhibits, although if you come up short by a page I would prefer you NOT try to stretch it, so I will not automatically deduct points if your paper is only 9 pages.
Your paper should include:
1. An “abstract”: A one paragraph summary of your topic and conclusions or key findings
2. Introduction and concise explanation of the topic. This must include some insight on why this topic is important, or who it is important to.
3. Main body of the paper: depending on the type of topic you have chosen, this would include different things such as
a. An explanation of the different constituencies affected by a policy or labor economics issue
b. Discussion of the labor theory that applies to this topic (i.e. discrimination models, efficiency wage model, labor/leisure model, etc.)
c. Discussion of published papers in economics that have examined this topic
d. Discussion of specific data used to reach conclusions in these published papers, and how this data might compare to the
Term Paper Guidelines
In this term paper you will explore an issue in labor economics, relying on published academic research and the economic models we have developed in class to inform your analysis, as well as other sources of your choosing.
Topics
There is a very broad range of potential topics for this paper. The most important criteria for a topic is that it be of interest to you: something that sparks your curiosity, something related to a personal or professional area of interest, or something you would enjoy learning more about.
That being said, any topic in the Ehrenberg and Smith book is acceptable. There are many sidebar issues that are highlighted, and very complete references and footnotes which would make an easy starting point for a paper. You could find a topic in current events. See the list at the end of this handout for examples.
Submission Guidelines
Your paper should be 10 to 12 pages in length, excluding exhibits, although if you come up short by a page I would prefer you NOT try to stretch it, so I will not automatically deduct points if your paper is only 9 pages.
Your paper should include:
1. An “abstract”: A one paragraph summary of your topic and conclusions or key findings
2. Introduction and concise explanation of the topic. This must include some insight on why this topic is important, or who it is important to.
3. Main body of the paper: depending on the type of topic you have chosen, this would include different things such as
a. An explanation of the different constituencies affected by a policy or labor economics issue
b. Discussion of the labor theory that applies to this topic (i.e. discrimination models, efficiency wage model, labor/leisure model, etc.)
c. Discussion of published papers in economics that have examined this topic
d. Discussion of specific data used to reach conclusions in these published papers, and how this data might compare to the