Information Package / Course Catalogue
Labour Economics II
Course Code: ÇEKO302
Course Type: Non Departmental Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

Core Subject Course. The Labor Economics II course is designed to provide students with both theoretical and practical knowledge of key aspects of the labor market, particularly focusing on the functioning of trade unions, collective bargaining mechanisms, and processes of industrial democracy. The course aims to equip students with the ability to analyze the economic and social impacts of trade unions, while also addressing critical social issues such as unemployment, employment policies, labor market participation, discrimination in the labor market, and gender inequalities, all within historical and global contexts. Furthermore, the course seeks to cultivate students’ sense of social responsibility based on sustainable development goals, social justice, equality, and ethical values. It also aims to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the impacts of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and automation on labor processes and to adapt effectively to these ongoing transformations.

Course Content

The Labor Economics II course aims to provide an in-depth analysis of trade union activities and collective bargaining models, focusing on the economic and social objectives of union movements. The course covers in detail the monetary and fiscal policies employed to combat unemployment, as well as active and passive labor market policies. It also comprehensively examines issues such as labor market discrimination, gender inequalities, labor productivity, and the economics of education. By evaluating wage theories, minimum wage policies, and the advantages and disadvantages of the platform economy, the course seeks to develop students’ critical thinking skills. Furthermore, it explores types of unemployment and the NEET concept (young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training), enabling students to understand the complex structure of labor markets and to analyze the impact of economic policies on these markets. The course also aims to strengthen students’ awareness of social responsibility based on ethical values and to equip them with the knowledge and competencies needed to adapt to transformations such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, and automation.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Abdullah ÖZDEMİR
Learning Outcomes
1.The student evaluates the functioning of trade unions, organizational processes, and collective bargaining models at both theoretical and practical levels.
2.The student analyzes discrimination issues in the labor market in line with gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity principles and develops social sensitivity.
3.The student critically evaluates types of unemployment, employment policies, active and passive labor market measures, and related monetary and fiscal policies.
4.The student analyzes the impacts of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the platform economy on labor processes and acquires the knowledge and skills to adapt to these transformations.
5.The student assesses labor-related issues within the framework of sustainable development, social justice, and ethical values and develops an awareness of social responsibility prioritizing public interest.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Biçerli, M. K. (2009). Labor Economics. Beta Publishing.
2.Parasız, İ., Bildirici, M. (2002). Modern Labor Economics. Bursa: Ezgi Publishing. 4o
3.Bruce E. Kaufman (2004). Theoretical Perspectives on Work and the Employment Relationship. Industrial Relations Research Association.
4.Richard B. Freeman, James L. Medoff (1984). What Do Unions Do? Basic Books
5.Carola Frege, John Kelly (2003). Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. Routledge.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Union Activities: Union organization processes and understanding of social responsibility based on social justice, equality, and ethical values.
Week 2 - Theoretical
Collective Bargaining and Collective Bargaining Models: Analysis of collective bargaining processes in historical and current contexts; inclusivity and industrial democracy in labor relations.
Week 3 - Theoretical
Economic and Other Objectives of Trade Unions: The roles of unions in social policy, income distribution, and sustainable development goals.
Week 4 - Theoretical
Economic Effects of Trade Unions: Analysis of the effects of unions on wages, productivity, employment, and the labor market.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Unemployment Policies: Monetary and Fiscal Policies: Evaluation of macroeconomic policies addressing unemployment; policy analysis from a public interest perspective.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Active and Passive Labor Market Policies: Examination of active labor market policies and passive supports within the framework of social security systems.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Discrimination in the Labor Market: Developing sensitivity to gender inequality, inclusivity, and diversity issues.
Week 8 - Theoretical
Labor Productivity: Productivity measurement, improvement methods, and human resource management in labor force planning.
Week 9 - Theoretical
Economics of Education: The relationship between educational investment, human capital, and development; analysis of local and global developments.
Week 10 - Theoretical
Wage Theories: Wage determination models and analysis of wage structures in the labor market.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Minimum Wage: Objectives and Features: The role of minimum wage as a social policy tool and its economic effects.
Week 12 - Theoretical
NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training): Evaluation of NEET youth in the context of social policy and inclusive policy proposals.
Week 13 - Theoretical
Platform (GIG) Economy, Advantages and Disadvantages: Analysis of the impacts of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and automation on labor processes.
Week 14 - Theoretical
Unemployment and Types of Unemployment: Comparative analysis of types of unemployment, including structural, cyclical, and frictional unemployment.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory143384
Midterm Examination115217
Final Examination122224
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)125
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
OÇ-1
5
4
4
4
3
2
1
4
1
3
4
5
OÇ-2
4
4
4
4
2
1
1
4
1
3
5
5
OÇ-3
5
5
5
4
4
4
2
4
1
4
5
5
OÇ-4
5
5
5
4
3
3
3
4
2
4
5
5
OÇ-5
4
4
4
4
3
2
1
4
1
3
5
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026