Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2015 - LBST 301 D100

Labour Movements: Contemporary Issues and Images (3)

Class Number: 4048

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 13, 2015: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2015
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course will give students a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary structure, issues, and perceptions of labour unions and other forms of working-class organization. It will focus on external and internal problems that the labour movement faces, such as labour law and state policy, employer strategies, bureaucracy, racism and sexism. The treatment of labour in the media and popular culture will provide an understanding of how labour is viewed in society, how labour views itself, and how working-class culture informs and is informed by the larger culture. Recommended: LBST 101.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces the major issues, structures, and perceptions that concern unions and other working-class organisations today. It focuses on the problems faced by the contemporary labour movement, including economism, bureaucratisation, electoral opportunism, racism, sexism, state/employer strategies, and repressive laws. Attention is paid in particular to the portrayal of labour in 'popular' culture, how the labour movement engages with these representations, and how 'working-class values' relate to dominant class interests.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students completing this course will have an enhanced understanding of challenges to the international labour movement and the specific economic, political, and ideological issues that affect working class lives in Canada. Students also will be able to critically engage the different scholarly and activist perspectives that exist on the tactics and strategies of exploiting and exploited classes in their mutually-constituted struggles.

Grading

  • Participation: 20%
  • Presentation: 20%
  • Research Essay: 60%

NOTES:

In addition to completing the assessed components of this course, students will be expected to do the readings each week, regularly attend seminars, and participate in class discussions.

REQUIREMENTS:

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

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Ross, S., Savage, L., eds. 2012. Rethinking the Politics of Labour in Canada. Halifax:
Fernwood.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Additional readings are listed in the course syllabus and will be available online or in the library.

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