LABOR 111G: Work & Society

In this course, students will be actively engaged in learning about the interaction between the nature of work and the organization of society. How does the structure of work affect the nature of society? How does the nature of society affect the structure of work? What are the characteristics of a "good job"? How does the larger social context affect whether jobs are "good" or "bad"? How do issues of gender and race play out in the job market? Who gets what jobs and why? How do the gender and racial job issues connect to gender and racial issues in the larger society? Drawing on students' own work experiences, combined with readings, films, and visits from activists in unions and other workers' organizations, the course will explore some of the challenges of race, gender, and class that arise in the workplace and interact with broad issues of social relations. A theme running through the course will be the extent of workers' power and their quest for social and economic justice. Moreover, this course is defined not simply by its subject matter, but also by the emphasis that is placed on critical thinking, writing, and oral presentation. This emphasis is facilitated by the subject matter; by examining issues of controversy and conflict surrounding the work-society relationship, the course leads students to develop their critical skills in order to understand fully those issues. (Note: In discussions of race, gender, and class, it is necessary to recognize that there are many differences within these groups as well as between them. When we talk about average differences between groups and make generalizations about differences between groups, it is important not to lose sight of the difference within each group.)