Summer 2019 - LBST 330 D300

Selected Topics in Labour Studies (3)

Labour & Education

Class Number: 2516

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Sherry Breshears
    sdbreshe@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: TU 10:00-11:00, or by appointment
  • Prerequisites:

    Strongly Recommended: LBST 101 and/or 301.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Selected topics in areas not currently offered within the undergraduate course offerings. Students may take more than one offering of LBST Selected Topics courses for credit, as long as the topic for each offering is different.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines multiple intersections between labour and education. We will explore relationships among identity, socio-economic status/class, schooling and labour, and learn about theories of social reproduction, human capital and resistance. We will consider how neoliberal policies and the labour market drive priorities in both K-12 and adult education. We will also examine the work of teaching from historical and critical perspectives, paying attention to the feminization and control of teachers’ work. The course will also provide an opportunity to explore how teacher unions have grown and developed within this context and how they address issues around teachers’ employment and professional autonomy and the learning conditions of students. Course activities include lectures, readings, videos/films, guest speakers, and discussions as well as student research, writing and presentations.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Course objectives are for students to:

  • Learn about the development of schooling as a classed system and a site of resistance
  • Critically examine how education processes are entwined with identity, labour markets and neoliberal policies
  • Learn about the history, feminization and control of teachers’ work
  • Explore the development of teacher unions and the role of unions in addressing teacher’ working conditions, student learning conditions, and social justice issues
  • Gain an understanding of approaches to labour education

Grading

  • Participation 20%
  • Midterm exam 20%
  • Assignment 1 25%
  • Assignment 2 35%

NOTES:

Grading: The letter grade N (incomplete) is given when a student has enrolled for a course, but did not write the final examination or otherwise failed to complete the coursework, and did not withdraw from the course before the deadline date. An N is considered an F for purposes of scholastic standing.


Grading System: Undergraduate Course Grading System is A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F, N (N standing to indicate the student did not complete).

A+ 95-100 B+ 80-84 C+ 65-69 D 50-54
A 90-94 B 75-79 C 60-64 F 0-49
A- 85-89 B- 70-74 C- 55-59  

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:

Willis, P. (2017). Learning to Labor: How Working-Class Kids Get Working-Class Jobs. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
ISBN: 978-0-231178952

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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