ECON 241 - Working in America

This course explores the US labor market and the policies that influence it. We will apply and extend models from Principles of Economics to understand how market forces and government policies shape the experience of work in the US. We will address questions about labor force participation, the determinants of wages and causes of income inequality, labor market discrimination, and the effects of policies like the minimum wage, unemployment insurance, and unionization. The course will provide an introduction to economic questions you may find it interesting to pursue in later course-based or independent research, but it is also helpful to those simply trying to make sense of media reporting about the job market or new policies. Prerequisite(s): ECON 119 Every year. (4 Credits)