About this Course

If you are curious about the economic impact of migration and want to understand how historical contexts shape current debates on immigration policies, this course is for you. It explores the economic determinants and labor market outcomes of migration throughout history, particularly focusing on migrations to Europe and North America from the mid-19th century onward.

What Students Will Learn

• Key facts and empirical insights regarding the economic drivers of migration.
• The labor market implications of historic migrations.
• Changes in the skill sets of migrants over time and their socio-economic impact.
• Insights into the integration processes of migrants and their descendants.
• Signature historical migration events such as the Age of Mass Migration, WWII displacements, and the 1980 Mariel Boatlift.
• How to conduct data analysis relevant to migration studies.
• Interactive quizzes to assess understanding of international migration issues.

Course Prerequisites

This introductory course does not require specific prerequisites. It is open to anyone interested in the economic aspects of migration, whether they are new to the topic or already possess some background knowledge.

Course Content

• Overview of the economic impacts of migration.
• Examination of historical migration waves.
• Analysis of migrant skill composition and its effects.
• Study of integration processes for migrants and their offspring.

Who Should Enroll

This course is suitable for students, researchers, policymakers, and anyone else interested in understanding the complex dynamics between migration and economics through a historical lens.

Real-World Applications

Skills acquired from this course can be effectively applied in various fields such as public policy formulation, historical research, socio-economic planning, and education. Providing a deeper understanding of how historical migration processes influence current events and future trends will equip students to participate more effectively in related discussions or research.

Course Syllabus

1. Introduction: Trends, Terms and Debates
2. Migrant Selection
3. Economic Integration in American Economic History
4. Economic Integration of Forced Migrants after World War II
5. The Wage Effect of Immigration: Theory
6. The Wage Effect of Immigration: Empirical Evidence