Fall 2016 - LBST 307 D100
Unfree Labour and Modem Slavery: Understanding Coercion and Exploitation in Contemporary (3)
Class Number: 3528
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2016: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Simon Chilvers
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Prerequisites:
LBST 101 is strongly recommended.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An exploration of the expanding forms of unfree labour in capitalist economies as products of changing labour processes, global labour markets, and the policies of neoliberalism and 'austerity'.
COURSE DETAILS:
Unfree labour and human trafficking affect every nation in the world today, as countries of origin, transit or destination. It has become a growing global concern in recent decades, occupying a prominent position in discussions between governments, international organisations, businesses and NGOs. Contrary to expectations that a state security approach in the prevention of unfree labour would suppress its occurrences, the politicisation of unfree labour has resulted in an acceleration of the phenomenon rather than a decline. Increased border protection and a gradual shift towards the creation of securitised states have been by-products of the war against human trafficking. This course considers the most severe forms of unfree labour and modern slavery and the ways in which a state security versus human security approach is related to the growing numbers of displaced persons, irregular migration trends and more specifically, reported incidences of human trafficking against the backdrop of neoliberal economic and social policies.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Students will be able to define various legal and economic conditions of unfree labour, noting how it informs exploitation. Students will be able to discuss the historical and geographical differences in forms of unfree labour and slavery, understanding the distinctiveness of present-day social relationships. Students will also have an appreciation of nuanced academic debates, plus how there is a divergence in struggles against unfreedom and slavery, which can be traced to how the problem is itself conceived.
Grading
- Seminar Contributions: 15%
- Mid-Term: 25%
- Slavery 'Art Exhibition': 15%
- Essay Proposal: 10%
- Essay: 35%
NOTES:
In addition to the written assignments, students are expected to complete the weekly readings, regularly attend seminars, and participate in classroom discussions.
REQUIREMENTS:
All students are expected to read SFU’s policies concerning academic honesty and student conduct (S 10.01 - S10.04). The
policies can be read at this website: www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.
Materials
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Allain, J. 2012. The Legal Understanding of Slavery. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- van der Anker, C. 2004. The Political Economy of the New Slavery. New York: Palgrave.
- Brass, T. 1999. Towards a Comparative Political Economy of Unfree Labour. London: Cass.
- Meillassoux, C. 1991. The Anthropology of Slavery. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS