This course introduces to students main topics and issues related to labour markets and labour market policies. The course is divided in three parts. First, important conceptual tools for understanding labour market structures and policies will be introduced via lectures. Secondly, more direct policy examples covering main countries/regions in East Asia will be introduced both via lectures and discussions based on relevant data and policies. Finally, students will organize their ideas in group presentations.

At the end of this course, students will be able to: - Recall main issues and challenges of capitalistic labour markets - Differentiate the ways in which governments can intervene to correct labour markets, and recognise the existence of different labour market peculiarities in East Asia - Track and make use of several secondary indicators of labour market available on the web from institutional organisations - Design, with some guidance, their own topic for labour market policy research with a comparative perspective