Summer 2016 - LBST 311 D100
Labour and the Environment (3)
Class Number: 6324
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Aug 14, 2016
Sun, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
John Walker
jtwalker@sfu.ca
-
Prerequisites:
Strongly recommended: LBST 101 and 30 credit hours.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
The changing relationships between unions and environmental groups; how work in various industries contribute to climate change; and how climate-change policies affect workers in different ways. The consequences of climate policies for different categories of workers, identified by economic sector, geographic location, gender, ethnicity, and Aboriginal status.
COURSE DETAILS:
Climate change has significant impacts on the nature of work and working people. Conversely, workers have a vital role to play in determining politically how the issues associated with climate change will be addressed. As the world’s climate goes through radical changes, workers face unprecedented challenges as governments craft policy to mitigate or adapt to the many dimensions of global warming. This course will present a framework for evaluating and responding to alternative visions of a "just transition" and a "paradigm shift" and will survey what is known about the effects of climate change and relevant policies on the working world.
The course will critically examine the changing and sometimes controversial relationships between trade unions, environmental groups and other political and economic forces, how work in various industries contributes to climate change, and how climate-change policies affect workers in different ways. The course will pursue an understanding of the consequences of climate policies for different categories of workers, identified
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
By the end of this course, students will have learned:
- how workers’ organizations are responding to climate change;
- how work practices can become more environmentally responsible;
- how government policy on climate change affects work and workers;
- how different types of work contribute to climate change;
- what alternatives there are.
Grading
- Seminar participation and presentation: 15%
- Mid-term Exam, June 22: 20%
- Annotated Bibliography/Essay (due in 3 stages – June 8, July 6, August 3): 40%
- Final Exam (room tba) Sunday, August 14, 12 noon to 3:00 p.m.: 25%
NOTES:
There will be a midterm and a final exam in this course. Term papers or annotated bibliographies will total approximately 3000 to 3500 words (ten to twelve pages) and critically engage an appropriate range of scholarly publications (i.e., academic journal articles or book chapters). Research papers will be completed in three stages – proposal, draft outline and final paper – topic chosen to explore an aspect of the course of special interest to the student not covered in the required readings. Seminar participation is integral to the course. All assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade to be assigned.
REQUIREMENTS:
All assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade to be assigned.
All students are expected to read SFU’s policies concerning academic honesty and student conduct [S 10.01 and S10.04]. The policies can be read at this website: www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
A courseware package containing assigned readings for LBST 311 will be available through the SFU bookstore. Links to download online copies of the required readings from the SFU library will also be posted on Canvas.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site contains information on what is meant by academic dishonesty and where you can find resources to help with your studies. There is also a section on tutoring.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS