Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - LBST 101 D100

Work and Worker's Rights: Introducing Labour Studies (3)

Class Number: 2689

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 14, 2022
    Thu, 7:00–7:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces key concepts and approaches for understanding the character and organization of work, employment relations, worker’s rights, and labour movements in contemporary society. Explores who does paid and unpaid work and under what conditions through the study of trends and issues, including migration and immigration, unionization, precarious employment, and automation. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is an introductory course to key concepts necessary for understanding the character and organization of work in contemporary capitalism. The discussion of such issues as how our society decides who works, what the work will be, and under what conditions people work, will be situated in the context of current debates, trends, and issues particularly the pandemic. We will also examine how the Canadian economy and labour market have been shaped by ongoing colonialism and racism since the formation of the nation and the implications for Indigenous and non-Indigenous workers’ livelihoods.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify basic structures of work under capitalism;
  2. Comprehend how wage labour has evolved and organized in Canada today;
  3. Analyze the relationship between capitalism, racism, and colonialism as an ongoing process;
  4. Understand how workers’ resistance, rights, and labour movements have developed in Canada;
  5. Apply key labour studies concepts such as inequality, labour segmentation, and precarity to assess peoples’ differential work and life experiences.

Grading

  • Tutorial participation (synchronous and asynchronous) 15%
  • Midterm film analysis 20%
  • Written assignments (2 x 15%) 30%
  • Final exam (open book - remote) 35%

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

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Labour Studies Program follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10.01‐S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style.  It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Jackson, Andrew & Mark P. Thomas. (2017). Work and Labour in Canada: Critical Issues. 3rd Edition. Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press.

Print ISBN: 978-1-551309576
VitalSource eText ISBN: 978-1-551309583

Aside from the main textbook this course will utilize a variety of readings and films available digitally through the SFU Library, public websites, and 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 SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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 may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.