Fall 2016 - LBST 308 D100
The Labour Process: Work and Technological Change (3)
Class Number: 3523
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2016: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Matthew Greaves
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Prerequisites:
Strongly recommended: LBST 101 and/or 301.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Technological change and globalization are constantly transforming the nature of work. These transformations are examined in the historical development of work, with specific emphasis on the changing nature of the labour process in the present era.
COURSE DETAILS:
Common-sense descriptions assume that the labour process and related technologies are neutral and progressive: innovation in the workplace is said to benefit the larger part of humanity in the long term. While in some ways an attractive narrative, such a reading fails to account for the complexities and politics of technological change in capitalist production. This course seeks to demystify such common-sense understandings by investigating the salient elements of society that influence technical change in the labour process.
We begin the course by identifying some of the tendencies that differentiate capitalism from previous and alternative modes of production, exploring how these tendencies affect the labour process. From agrarian capitalism to emerging industrial society to twentieth century manufacturing, our focus in the first three-quarters of the course will be on machinery, large-scale industry, industrial labour processes, and the social and economic forces driving developments in these aspects of production. The political and economic implications of new manufacturing technologies and the scientific management of workers—or Taylorism—will also be explored, as will examples of labour’s resistance to technological change. The course will conclude with analysis of new and emerging forms of labour process, related to rapid growth in the digital networks supporting contemporary capitalism. Despite ostensible differences between industrial and digital work, students will consistently treat technology and labour process as sites of social struggle, made up of conflicting interests.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Students are expected to analyze labour process and related technology as outcomes of history and conflictual interests.
Grading
- Participation and attendance: 20%
- In-class presentation: 20%
- Mid-term exam: 20%
- Final essay: 40%
REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance and participation are compulsory. I expect students to arrive in the seminar having closely read the assigned material and to participate in class discussions. Students are expected to complete their assignments on time.
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
REQUIRED READING:
Weekly readings will be available to students either through the library web portal or the course Canvas.
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