Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - LBST 308 D100

The Labour Process: Work and Technological Change (3)

Class Number: 1110

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Tue, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • 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:

Innovation is widely believed to benefit humanity through contributing to economic growth. However, technological change is a complex and political process, which has immense
repercussions for—and is also influenced by—workers. This course draws on sociology, geography, political economy and science and technology perspectives to examine the
interactions of technology development, industrial activity, and the labour process over place and time.

This course seeks to investigate the salient elements of capitalism that influence technological change, the effects of such change on working lives, and the role of workers in changing technology. 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. We will examine key shifts—from agrarian capitalism to twentieth century manufacturing to contemporary digital economies— and the ways these also involved changes to the labour process. Key methods of organizing and controlling workers, such as “scientific management” and “flexible specialization” will also be explored. We will examine the possibilities for workers to resist or reshape technological change. Readings will span the global and local, emphasizing both theoretical innovation and specific case studies.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The course will introduce key concepts in studies of labour, technology and industrial change. It will help students ask, and develop skills for answering, key questions around the role of technology in driving globalization, problems of deskilling or being over worked, and technology driven mass unemployment. Students will be encouraged to creatively examine the politics of technology and work, and explore these as sites of social struggle. Students are expected to gain an understanding core concepts, pose and begin to answer research questions and develop skills in reading, researching, writing, public speaking, collaboration and creative thinking about the themes of the course.

Grading

  • Attendance and participation 10%
  • Mid-term exam 15%
  • Presentations 15%
  • Final essay 30%
  • Final exam 30%

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 students to inform themselves of the content of these policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

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.

REQUIREMENTS:

Students will read, discuss, and be examined on all of the assigned reading. Attendance and participation are compulsory. There will be in-class discussion and group exercises. There will be a mid-term exam in Week 7, and a final take home exam. Students will give one in-class presentation of 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of questions. Presentations will be on a topic related to one or more of that week’s readings. Students will research and write a 3,000 word essay related to themes of the course, drawing on theories discussed in readings and lecture and individual research.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Most readings are available electronically through the SFU Library or free of charge over the internet. The remainder will be available electronically through the course learning management website. They will be free of charge and in accordance with fair dealing under the Copyright Act.

Core texts that this course will draw from include:

Braverman, H. (1974). Labor and Monopoly Capital: The Degradation of Work in the Twentieth Century (25th anniversary ed. 1998). New York: Monthly Review Press.
ISBN: 978-0853459408

Johnson, D.G. and Wetmore, J.M. (Eds.) (2008). Technology and Society: Building Our Sociotechnical Future. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. 
[ebook available at SFU Library]
ISBN: 978-0262600736

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