BPA3101 Labour Economics

This course is designed to introduce students to economic models of the labour market, both theoretical and empirical. Illustrations from current policy debates are used. Labour markets function through the interaction of workers and employers. Labour Economics looks at suppliers of labour services (workers), the demanders of labour services (employers), and attempts to understand the resulting pattern of wages, employment, and income. It is an important subject because unemployment is a problem that affects the public most directly and severely. Full employment (or reduced unemployment) is a goal of many modern governments. Some of the issues to be considered in this course are: Trends and Structure of the Ugandan Economy, Government Programmes and Policies, Monetary and Fiscal Policies, price controls, Regulatory measures; Economic growth and Economic development; Political factors and the Economy; the privatization debate; Global trends; Technological factors; Impact on business development

Course Objectives
The course is intended to:

• Introduce students to key features of the labour market 
• Help students be able to analyse models of the labour market 
• To help students know how different government policies affect the labour markets
• Evaluate existing data relating to these predictions

Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, the students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the core concepts and tools of Labour Economics and Policy.
• Apply economic principles and reasoning to critically analyse labour market phenomena and contemporary academic literature.
• Develop an understanding of the future role work and jobs in evolving social and economic environments.
• Communicate their knowledge and understanding of labour market and related social issues using written, verbal and visual expression.
• Critically evaluate government policies affecting work and jobs