This course uses economic analysis to explore gender differences in economic outcomes, in both households and the labor market.

Men earn on average higher wages than women. Men and women concentrate in different occupations, and women are under-represented in the political sphere and high-powered occupations. Women attain on average higher levels of schooling than men, and they take on a higher share of household chores and childcare.

Why these differences? Do they represent a problem? Should families, schools, firms, or governments do something about it? This course will provide you with an overview of a recent literature in economics that documents gender gaps in a range of domains, tries to uncover the factors that drive them, and evaluates the effectiveness of different policies in mitigating them. Some of the main topics that we will cover include: gender gaps in wages and employment; gender and education; gender differences in psychological traits; family (fertility, marriage and divorce, household specialization); and gender and public policy.

Upon completion of the course, students are able to

• identify common problems researchers face when identifying gender differences.
• review a range of important fields where gender disparities are economic relevant.
• analyze causal relationships relevant for studying gender gaps.
• reflect upon the advantages and pitfalls of policies aiming at reducing gender gaps.

Topics in Microeconomics is a course with continuous assessment (PI), therefore attendance is necessary. Two lectures can be missed without excuse, absence in further lectures has to be excused/ explained via email. I expect that students will come to class prepared to discuss the day’s readings. This means that you should have done the reading, and you should have questions about and reactions to that reading. You should always have the required readings and any notes you take on the readings with you during class.

The first part will consist mainly of presentations by the lecturer. The second part will require active student participation during the class, including presentations and discussions of recent research papers. 

Presentation: 30%

Each student must present and discuss a paper.

Research proposal (30%)

Each student must propose a research project related to the gender pay gap.

Final exam (40%)

The examination will be based on the papers presented during the course.

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Office hours: by appointment

E-Mail: roberto.asmat@wu.ac.at