Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Human Resource Economics (Online)

ECON 4200-30I

Course: ECON 4200-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ECON
CRN: 30176

Course Description

This course offers an introduction to labor markets. In the first half, we will explore key theories of labor economics, including labor supply and demand, human capital, and wage determination. The second half will focus on specific topics such as unemployment, discrimination, immigration, unions, and the role of government policy.

Required Texts

The textbook for this course is Labor Economics, by Derek Laing (ISBN: 978-0-393-97952-7, W.W. Norton, 2011). I will be using the “Inclusive Access Course Materials” so that you have access to the materials from day one. You should have received an email from the bookstore regarding detailed instructions of how to access the materials on Canvas. For more questions please visit: https://store.suu.edu/inclusive-access-info or send an email to the bookstore: bookstore@suu.edu.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand how labor markets function. 
  •  Analyze key theoretical models in labor economics.
  • Interpret empirical findings from recent research. 

Course Requirements

Grading

Grading Scale

The grading scale (in %) is as follows:

  • A = 92 to 100
  • A- = 90 to < 92
  • B+ = 87 to <90
  • B = 82 to <87
  • B- = 80 to <82
  • C+ = 77 to <80
  • C = 72 to <77
  • C- = 70 to <72
  • D+ = 67 to <70
  • D = 62 to <67
  • D- = 55 to <62
  • F < 55

Final Grade Weights

  • 30% Midterm 1
  • 30% Midterm 2
  • 20% Assignments
  • 20% Reading Quizzes

Assessment of Student Learning

Exams

There will be 2 exams, each worth 30% of your grade. The exams will consist of a combination of theory and practical application questions. The dates of the two Midterms will notified via email.

Assignments

An assignment and/or problem set will be given for each module we cover. These are primarily designed to help you better understand the theory behind and application of each topic that we discuss in class. Instructions and due dates for each problem set will be provided on Canvas.

Reading Quizzes

This is a special topics class. So, we will spend time reading published research papers relevant to the topics in class. Reading quizzes will be based on these papers and will be given to incentivize their reading and comprehension. Specific due dates will be determined based on the timing of our discussions and will be provided on Canvas when they are known.

Course Outline

Course Schedule

The course schedule is tentative and subject to change. The professor reserves the right to deviate from this plan as needed, including changing the order of the chapters covered, eliminating chapters, or adding other chapters or modules to the list below.

Topics we plan to cover:

  • Introduction
  • The U.S. Labor Market
  • Labor Demand
  • Labor Supply
  • Human Capital
  • Competitive Equilibrium
  • Policy Applications: Minimum Wage
  • The Role of Government in the Labor Market
  • Labor Market Discrimination
  • Migration and Immigration
  • Unemployment
  • Unions

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Grading Policy

Grades are an assessment of your academic work. Fairness demands, and university rules require that all students be marked according to the same standards and that all students receive the grade they earned. Professors are not able to adjust grades arbitrarily, so please refrain from requesting grade changes or extra credit opportunities. Extra credit will not be offered except under rare circumstances. If it is offered, it will be offered to the entire class and not to individual students separately (so please don’t ask for it). Therefore, if you want a certain grade and there are any ways in which I can reasonably help you achieve that goal, please contact me during the semester. The last two weeks before the last assignment may be too late to earn the grade that you want.

Attendance Policy

This is an online class.

Custom

Instructor: Shubha Basu (she/her)

Office: Bennion Building # 312 D

Email: shubhashritabasu@suu.edu

Office hours: By appointment (virtual: link).

Mode: Online

Class website: Canvas

Disclaimer Statement

The information contained in this syllabus may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Statements Required in Course Syllabi (Per SUU Policy 6.36)

This link provides information on mental health resources, academic credit, academic freedom, academic misconduct, ADA statement, non-discrimination statement, pregnancy, mandatory reporting, emergency management statement, HEOA compliance statement, SUUSA statement, and Writing Center.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.