Immigration and Labour Markets in Economic History

Are you interested in the economic effects of migration? Do you want to take a historical perspective on current debates? And which policies foster integration? These questions do not only figure prominently in today’s, often heated policy debates on immigration. They were already relevant in the past. In this course, we will review the evidence on historical migrant flows, relating past to current debates.

Students will learn key facts and empirical evidence on the economic determinants and labour market consequences of migration from a historical perspective. Topics include the skill composition of migrants; the integration of migrants and their children; and the effect of immigration on wages and employment of native workers.

The course will focus on immigration to Europe and North America since the mid-19th century. We will study each topic in the context of one major migration episode in history. Episodes include the Age of Mass Migration from Europe to the US; forced displacement after World War II; and the mass emigration of Cubans during the Mariel Boatlift of 1980.

This MOOC consists of six chapters. Each chapter will guide you through the material with a combination of videos, figures and interactive quizzes. You will also be introduced to the work of other experts in this field and can deepen your knowledge by reading articles and peer-reviewed papers. In addition, you will have the chance to do your own data analysis—for example, when exploring the relationship between settlement location and reefugee integration. The course is self-paced. However, we advise you to finish one chapter per week. Moreover, you have the option to receive a certificate after successfully completing the course and a final exam.

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