Fall 2025 - LBST 100 B100
Equality and Inequality at Work (3)
Class Number: 5131
Delivery Method: Blended
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
BurnabySep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: TBA, TBA
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Kendra Strauss
kstrauss@sfu.ca
Office Hours: Mondays, 1-2pm via Zoom or by appointment
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Introduces concepts of equality, inequality, diversity, and inclusion as we experience them at work. Includes discussion of what counts as work, who does paid and unpaid work, and how workers challenge inequality and discrimination. Examines how contemporary experiences in Canada of inequality at work are shaped by ongoing colonialism, racialization, gendering, class and other forms of social difference. Breadth-Social Sciences.
COURSE DETAILS:
Introduces concepts of equality, inequality, diversity, and inclusion as we experience them at work. Includes discussion of what counts as work, who does paid and unpaid work, and how workers challenge inequality and discrimination. Examines how contemporary experiences in Canada of inequality at work are shaped by ongoing colonialism, racialization, gendering, class and other forms of social difference. Breadth-Social Sciences.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
- Understand what counts as work, and how work in Canada relates to racial capitalism and settler colonialism.
- Explore differences in paid and unpaid work and the devaluation of some jobs and sectors.
- Analyze categories of difference such as race, gender, sexuality, ability and class and how they intersect in people’s everyday lives to shape experiences of work.
- Critically assess concepts like multi-culturalism, diversity and inclusion.
- Examine how technological change, especially recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI), relates to inequality in and at work
- Understand how people have struggled against inequality at work in diverse ways.
Grading
- Attendance and participation 20%
- Reflective writing assignment 15%
- In-class midterm exam 30%
- Final project 35%
NOTES:
Schedule of in-person meetings
Blended courses combine in-person classes (minimum 25%), synchronous online classes, and asynchronous online learning. In-person classes are weighted towards the beginning of the term to help students get comfortable with the course format, readings and assignments.
We will meet in-person on the following dates: Sept. 4th, Sept. 11th, Sept. 18th, Oct. 16th (mid-term), Nov. 6th and Nov. 20th.
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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:
This course uses a variety of readings and media sources (films, podcasts). There is no textbook for this course.
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
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.