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Economics of Immigration (343-0-20)

Instructors

Sidonia Lucrisha McKenzie

Meeting Info

Tech Institute Lecture Room 5: Mon, Wed, Fri 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

The course will focus on the economic determinants and consequences of immigration by exploring three main questions on the economics: (i) Who migrates and why? (ii) How do immigrants perform in the receiving country? (iii) How do immigrants affect natives? Specific topics include the selection models of immigration, the measurement and implications of economic assimilation in the receiving country, labor market effects, the calculation of the economic benefits from immigration and migration policy in the U.S. and other advanced economies. We will weave in data analysis using softwares such as Stata or R, policy documents, empirical papers and information from the media to enrich our understanding of immigration issues and highlight how economists are thinking about them. Immigration is a contentious issue that involves both positive and normative analyses. Although we may be presented with the same set of facts, we may arrive at different conclusions, which is absolutely fine. We all come from various backgrounds and bring differing viewpoints and experiences to this community, which means that we have so much to learn from each other. The purpose of this class it to train you how to think, not what to think.

Registration Requirements

ECON 281, ECON 310-1, ECON 310-2

Learning Objectives

The student should be able to apply theoretical and econometric methods to understand: (i) Foundations of the individual decision to migrate and the choice of country of immigration; (ii) The factors affecting economic performance of migrants in host countries; (iii) Implications of economic assimilation for host country economies and (iv) The effects of policy on migration flows.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-requisite: Students must have taken ECON 310-1 or MMSS 211-1 and ECON 281 or ECON 381-1 or MATH 386-1 or IEMS 304 or STAT 350 to successfully enroll in this course.