Jobs, Workers, and Development

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

Jobs are the key to economic and social progress at every stage of development. A job is not just a source of income — it shapes who people are, how societies hold together, and whether people can work their way out of poverty. But the nature of jobs varies hugely across countries. We will study jobs and development from two angles. The top-down view covers structural transformation, labor market policies and institutions, employment challenges facing women and youth, globalization and trade, social protection, and how AI is reshaping the future of work. Throughout, we will keep a focus on policy and think about winners and losers. The bottom-up view is hands-on: you will analyze household survey data yourself. You will learn enough Python to do this, with generative AI tools to help you write code. No prior knowledge of Python is assumed; you will learn everything you need in class, including how to use AI responsibly. Assessment will be based primarily on an individual empirical research project on jobs and well-being, developed in stages with instructor feedback along the way.