Summer 2017 - LBST 301W D100
Labour Movements: Contemporary Issues and Images (3)
Class Number: 3047
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 8 – Aug 4, 2017: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Simon Chilvers (sessional)
schilver@sfu.ca
Office: AQ 6219
Office Hours: Wednesdays 12:30-1:30 pm
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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 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.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
The objective of this course is to understand the specific workplace/economic, political, and ideological contexts in which the labour movement is struggling today, in terms of how these shape key issues and images. The focus is upon exploring the strengths and weaknesses of the labour movement. If uncritical celebration of unions/other working-class organizations is found in some quarters, uncritical criticism remains the dominant narrative in society. Arguably, only by analyzing the weaknesses of the labour movement can alternatives to problems be found. The seminar presentations, debates, readings, film clips, and guest speakers will help students to critically engage with a range of scholarly and union/social activist perspectives on the ideas and tactics of different classes in their mutually-constituted struggles.
In addition to the written assignments, students are expected to complete the weekly readings, regularly attend seminars, and participate in classroom discussions.
Grading
- Participation 10%
- Course diary 15%
- Field trip report 15%
- Book review 15%
- Research essay proposal 10%
- Research essay 35%
NOTES:
Where a final exam is scheduled and you do not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, you will be assigned an N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned.
Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct 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: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.Materials
RECOMMENDED READING:
Stephanie Ross & Larry Savage, Eds., Rethinking the Politics of Labour in Canada. (Halifax: Fernwood, 2012) (Available in the library.)
ISBN: 978-1552664780
Many of the weekly readings will be made available on Canvas.
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