Fall 2018 - LBST 311 D100
Labour and the Environment (3)
Class Number: 2064
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 6, 2018
Thu, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Tom Walker
jtwalker@sfu.ca
Office: AQ 6219
Office Hours: TH 15:00-16:00
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Prerequisites:
30 units. Strongly Recommended: LBST 101.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
The changing relationships between unions and environmental groups; how work in various industries contribute to climate change; and how climate-change policies affect workers in different ways. The consequences of climate policies for different categories of workers, identified by economic sector, geographic location, gender, ethnicity, and Aboriginal status.
COURSE DETAILS:
Climate change has significant impacts on the nature of work and working people. Conversely, workers have a vital role to play in determining politically how the issues associated with climate change will be addressed. As the world’s climate goes through radical changes, workers face unprecedented challenges as governments craft policy to mitigate or adapt to the many dimensions of global warming. This course is structured around an attentive reading of Andreas Malm's historical account of how we have arrived at this ecological/economic crossroads. Such an analysis can serve as a framework for evaluating and responding to alternative visions of transition to working in a sustainable world.
The course will critically examine the changing and sometimes controversial relationships between workers, trade unions, environmental groups and other political and economic forces, how work in various industries contributes to climate change, and how climate-change policies affect workers in different ways. The course will pursue an understanding of the consequences of climate policies for different categories of workers, identified by economic sector, geographic location, gender, migration and immigration, and Aboriginal status.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
By the end of this course, students will have learned:
- What are the 'system dynamics' of climate change;
- How are capitalism, labour and fossil fuel consumption related historically;
- How does the concept of the commons advance our understanding of the issues;
- How do different types of work contribute to carbon emissions and climate change;
- What alternatives are there to business as usual.
Grading
- Participation 15%
- Midterm exam 20%
- Research essay/annotated bibliography 40%
- Final exam 25%
NOTES:
All assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade to be assigned. The Morgan Centre for Labour Studies follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic honesty and misconducted procedures (S10.01-S10.04). It is the responsibility of the students to inform themselves of the content of these policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Malm, A. (2016). Fossil Capital: The Rise of Steam Power and the Roots of Global Warming. New York: Verso Books.
ISBN: 978-1-784781293
Additional readings will be included on the course syllabus.
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