ECON 262P

POPULATION ECONOMICS

10:00-11:30 a.m. MW, 9384 Bunche Hall
Spring Quarter, 2006
Professor V. Joseph Hotz

Email: hotz@econ.ucla.edu
On this Page:
Course Syllabus
Course Outline
Course Readings
Handouts



Course Syllabus

Goals
The primary aim of this course is to provide an introduction to some of the main substantive issues that play a central role in the field of population and demography from the perspective of economics. In this pursuit, I will place a good deal of emphasis on modeling and econometric methods. A second aim is to illustrate how economic models can be used to understand a range of phenomena and how econometric methods can be used to analyze the empirical content of these models and in explaining behavior. We also take the opportunity to consider insights from the sociological and anthropological literatures. As a result, I hope to equip you with a good understanding of how these models and methods can be applied to a wide range of empirical problems in social sciences.

Classes will focus on a subset of topics and papers. For each topic, the main issues will be laid out within an economic framework, relying primarily on standard consumer demand theory, and on the econometric methods used to investigate these topics. While not as thoroughly, we also will examine the empirical validity of many of the models we consider. The lectures will focus on only a subset of papers on the reading list. The reading list contains a more comprehensive set of readings that is intended as a guide for you to become acquainted with the issues, models and methods in this field.

Course Requirements
The course will follow a lecture format. Students are expected to participate in the lectures by asking questions or providing additional insights into the literature. While you will not be formally graded on your classroom participation, I cannot overemphasize the importance of asking questions and probing new idea as an essential mode of learning. I will provide you with guidance about the central readings for future lectures. I expect students to read these papers and may resort to asking questions about the readings, especially if it appears students are not doing these readings.

Requirements to Obtain a Grade for this Course
Students taking the course for a grade will complete a written final examination. This examination will test knowledge of the literature in the reading list as well as an understanding of the ideas presented in class, contributions in the literature and potential deficiencies in the literature. The final will be a 24 hour take-home exam that will be distributed during Final Exam Week (June 12-16, 2006).

There are two requirements for a student who plans to have Labor Economics as a field. First, the student must take the full sequence of courses offered this year in this field and obtain at least an A- in each course. Economics 262P is the third course in this sequence. Second, the student must write, submit and present an original research paper on a topic approved by the faculty in this field. This paper must be submitted by July 31, 2006.

Additional Requirements
Students taking this course are also expected to attend and participate in the Albert Family Fund Proseminar in Applied Microeconomics (Mondays, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., Bunche 9383) and the Albert Family Fund Workshop in Applied Microeconomics (Tuesday 3.30-5.00, Bunche 9383) , and the California Center for Population Research (CCPR) Colloquium (Wednesdays, 12.00 noon - 1:30 p.m., 9383 Bunche). Some of the best empirical researchers in the United States will be presenting their work in progress in these latter workshops and it is difficult to over emphasize the value to your development as a professional scientist of seeing how smart and successful scholars approach empirical problems. Regular attendance at these workshops is by far the best way for you to develop a good sense of how to approach hard empirical problems as well as find out what topics are currently being addressed in the field.
 



Course Outline

I.       Models of the Allocation of Resources and Time

  A.     Static models of the allocation of time and goods

            The theory of allocation of time and goods

            Labor force participation and labor supply

  B.     Models of home production

            Static models of fertility and fertility regulation

            Costs and benefits of children

            Household as consumer and producer: Theory and evidence

   C.     Dynamic Models

            Life cycle models of time allocation and consumption

            Life cycle models of fertility

  II.    Individuals, Households and Families <>

  A.    
Marriage, divorce and fertility

            Models of marriage markets and matching

            Economics of divorce and child support

            Non-marital fertility

   B.     Resource allocation within households and families

            Collective models of the household: Theory and evidence

            Altruism, the family, the community and inter-household transfers

   C.     Family Interactions

            Altruism, cooperation, commitment and lack of them in the family

  III.  Investments in Human Capital

  A.    
Education

            Models of optimal human capital accumulation

            Identification and estimation of returns to school

  B.     Investments in Child Development and Health and the family
 
          
Models of Child investments and health: Measurement and interpretation

            Models of Child investments and health: Identification and estimation




Course Readings:

A subset of the readings for this course are located here.
The complete course reading list (in PDF format) is here. Revised 4-19-06



Handouts:

Labor Supply Trends Handout (in PDF format).

Static Consumer Theory Notes (in PDF format).

Static Labor Supply Notes (in PDF format).

Fertility Trends Handout (in PDF format).

Static Fertility Model Notes (in PDF format).

Models of Family Interactions Notes (in PDF format).

Life Cycle Labor Supply Model Notes (in PDF format).

Life Cycle Fertility Notes (in PDF format).

Hotz-Sanders Notes on Contraceptive Choice (in PDF format).



Website last updated: April 4, 2006
For problems with website, please email: hotz@econ.ucla.edu