Unit name | Economics of Education |
---|---|
Unit code | EFIMM0042 |
Credit points | 15 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. Burgess |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
ECONM1010 Microeconomics; ECONM1022 Econometrics |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Economics |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit aims to help students apply their knowledge of economics and econometrics to the study of education, typically schools and universities. Topics will include general analysis of human capital formation, the role of family, school resources, teachers and pupils in raising attainment, the appropriate governance, regulation and market structure for schools, and specific issues with higher education. The course will use theoretical models of investment, incentive structure, and markets to gain insights for studying behaviour, but the course will focus more on empirical evidence, and in particular on causal studies. The unit aims to build in students an appreciation of the issues involved in education reform, the possibilities and the limitations.
This unit provides a thorough and in-depth treatment of the application of microeconomic analysis to schools and universities. The idea is that at the end of the course, students will have a sound grasp of the insights and evidence that economics can bring to the study of education; will understand the issues involved in designing an education system and in education reform; will be able to read, understand and critique economics research in education, and will have the tools to begin a basic research project in the economics of education.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions such as online teaching for large and small group, face-to-face small group classes (where possible) and interactive learning activities
Coursework (100%)
There is no single textbook that covers the course, and the bulk of the reading will be scientific journal articles. Here are a few example readings: