Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2020 - LBST 308 D100

The Labour Process: Technological Change and the Future of Work (3)

Class Number: 4979

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 16, 2020
    Sun, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Location: TBA

  • Instructor:

    Matthew Greaves
    mgreaves@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Tu 12:30-15:20 via Canvas (Blackboard Collaborate Ultra tab)

  • Prerequisites:

    Strongly Recommended: LBST 101 and/or 301.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Technological change and globalization are constantly transforming the nature of work under capitalism. These transformations are examined in the historical development of work, the changing nature of the labour process and how automation and artificial intelligence might transform work in the future. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Common-sense descriptions of the labour process assume that manufacturing technologies are politically neutral; 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 readings fail to account for the complexity and politics of technological change in capitalist production. This course seeks to demystify common-sense descriptions by investigating the salient elements of capitalism 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 structure 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, and the social and economic forces driving developments in the industrial labour process. 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 resistance to technological change. The course will conclude with readings that explore labour processes organized through digital communication. Despite differences between manufacturing and digital jobs, students will consistently treat technology and the labour process as sites of social struggle.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students are expected to analyze the labour process and related technology as outcomes of history and opposing interests.

Grading

  • Weekly questions 20%
  • Midterm exam 35%
  • Final essay 45%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

Students must have access to a computer with reliable internet access.

  1. Seminars: Lecture recordings will be uploaded to Canvas each Thursday by 11:30 am (Blackboard Collaborate Ultra tab)
  2. Online Day: Asynchronous 

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Universal Access Remote learning for this semester requires a computer or tablet, camera, and internet access. Most laptops and desktops are running OSX and Windows. Tablets may be Android, iOS or Windows based. Headsets are advised but not necessary. Note that students have access to free Office 365 or Adobe Creative Cloud found here.

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available through Canvas.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2020

Please note that all teaching at SFU in summer term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.