Course description
Immigration and Labour Markets in Economic History
Are you interested in the economic effects of migration? Do you want to take a historical perspective on current debates? And which policies foster integration? These questions do not only figure prominently in today’s, often heated policy debates on immigration. They were already relevant in the past. In this course, we will review the evidence on historical migrant flows, relating past to current debates.
Students will learn key facts and empirical evidence on the economic determinants and labour market consequences of migration from a historical perspective. Topics include the skill composition of migrants; the integration of migrants and their children; and the effect of immigration on wages and employment of native workers.
The course will focus on immigration to Europe and North America since the mid-19th century. We will study each topic in the context of one major migration episode in history. Episodes include the Age of Mass Migration from Europe to the US; forced displacement after World War II; and the mass emigration of Cubans during the Mariel Boatlift of 1980.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Prerequisites
- No special prerequisites necessary
- Everyone who is interested in the field (with or without expert knowledge) is invited to do this MOOC
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you'll learn
- Learn about key facts and empirical evidence on the economic determinants of migration
- Analyze the labour market effects of migration from a historical perspective
- Understand how and why the skill composition of migrants changed over time
- Distinguish between the integration of migrants and their children
- Learn about central historical events like the Age of Mass Migration from Europe to the US, forced displacements after World War II or the Mariel Boatlift of 1980
- Get hands-on experience in the analysis of data
- Test your understanding of international migration and labour markets with interactive quizzes
Training Course Content
- Introduction: Trends, Terms and Debates
- Migrant Selection
- Economic Integration in American Economic History
- Economic Integration of Forced Migrants after World War II
- The Wage Effect of Immigration: Theory
- The Wage Effect of Immigration: Empirical Evidence
Course delivery details
This course is offered through University of Bayreuth, a partner institute of EdX.
1-3 hours per week
Expenses
- Verified Track -$59
- Audit Track - Free