Spring 2020 - IS 221 D100

Workers in the Global Economy: Globalization, Labour and Uneven Development (3)

Class Number: 7523

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 15, 2020
    Wed, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores how people experience paid and unpaid work in the global economy. Focuses on processes such as migration and economic structuring, and applies critical development studies and critical geopolitics to study labour and employment. Explores links between capitalism, urbanization and labour struggles. Examines labour internationalism and global labour rights. Students with credit for LBST 201 or LBST 230 under the title "Workers and Global Capitalism" may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines key actors, conditions and processes shaping work and employment relations in the contemporary global economy. Throughout the course, we will pay close attention to how social hierarchies based on class, gender, race, ethnicity and citizenship status, and struggles against them, affect contemporary labour markets and global production networks. The thematic content of the course includes patterns of labour market segmentation, global labour chains, labour migration and ‘global householding,' social reproduction of the labour force, international labour standards, workers’ collective agency and the future of work.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

  • gain an understanding of key concepts, issues and debates relating to work and employment in the global economy
  • analytically and critically evaluate major problems, conflicts and struggles in the contemporary world of work
  • improve their knowledge integration skills through applying abstract concepts and arguments to contemporary cases
  • enhance their communication skills through engaging in a sophisticated and informed dialogue with their peers in class discussions

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • 5 Reading Reflections (4% each) 20%
  • Midterm exam (take-home) 25%
  • Final exam 40%

NOTES:

Students will be required to submit their written assignments to Turnitin.com in order to receive credit for the assignments and for the course.

The School for International Studies strictly enforces the University's policies regarding plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. Information about these policies can be found at: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Taylor M. and S. Rioux (2018) Global Labour Studies, Polity Press.

Students are required to come to class having done all the assigned readings beforehand. Links to all readings will be posted on Canvas, except for the textbook (copies available at the bookstore).

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