Fall 2017 - LBST 301W D100

Labour Movements: Contemporary Issues and Images (3)

Class Number: 2480

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    John-Henry Harter
    jhharter@sfu.ca
    Office: AQ 6218
    Office Hours: Mon: 13:00-14:00; Thu: 12:30-13:30
  • Prerequisites:

    Recommended: LBST 101.

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. Students with credit for LBST 301 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

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 the portrayal of labour in popular culture. The course 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.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course will allow students to learn about the contemporary relationship between the labour movement and the media in all its forms. It will also allow students to investigate how popular culture frames our understanding of the both the labour movement and class issues more broadly. This course will also expand students’ knowledge of current concepts in the field of labour studies and politics.

The course will draw on students' experiences and research, and we will develop research, writing, and presentation skills through the class assignments. In addition, lectures, tutorial discussions, films, and guest speakers will provide the tools we need to understand the increasingly complex world of labour and politics.

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Writing Assignment 1 (analysis of news source on labour) 15%
  • Writing Assignment 2 (Labour, Class, and the Media) 25%
  • Writing Assignment 3 (research project) 45%

REQUIREMENTS:

All assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade to be assigned.  The Morgan Centre for Labour Studies follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic honesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01-S10.04).  It is the responsibility of the students to inform themselves of the content of these policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Martin, Christopher R. 2004. Framed! Labour and the Corporate Media. ILR Press.
ISBN: 978-0801488870

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