Spring 2023 - LBST 101 D100
Work and Worker's Rights: Introducing Labour Studies (3)
Class Number: 2645
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Xinying Hu
xinyingh@sfu.ca
Office: AQ 6080
Office Hours: Thurs 12:30pm-2:00pm
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 introductory course examines key concepts necessary for understanding the character and organization of work in contemporary society. 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. This course will examine how the Canadian economy and labour market have been be shaped by ongoing colonialism and racial capitalism, and the implications for working people’s livelihoods. We will also explore the ways how workers are fighting back, protecting their rights and their lives in today’s changing workplaces and labour markets.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand basic structure of work under capitalism.
- Understand how wage labour has evolved and how it is organized in Canada today.
- Analyze the relationship between capitalism, racism and colonialism as an ongoing process.
- Understand how labour movements have developed and the role of unions in Canada today.
- Apply key concepts such as inequality and precarity to understanding working peoples’ experiences in Canada’s labour markets.
Grading
- Attendance and participation 15%
- Writing assignments (2) 30%
- Midterm Exam 25%
- Invigilated open book final exam 30%
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:
There is not required textbook for this course. All readings will be made available on Canvas and through the SFU Library.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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