Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - LBST 201 D100

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

Class Number: 2322

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Xinying Hu
    xinyingh@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Mo 12:30 pm-2:00 pm, in person

  • Prerequisites:

    Strongly Recommended: LBST 101.

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 230 under the title "Workers and Global Capitalism" or "Work and Employment in a Globalized World" and IS 221 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines the relationship between work, employment, and globalization. Drawing on an interdisciplinary framework that includes international political economy, critical development studies, and geopolitical analysis, we explore how globalization reshapes work and labour market dynamics. The course analyzes how economic restructuring, technological change, and global production networks transform the lives of workers, working conditions, job security, and labour rights across historical and transnational contexts.

Students will analyze how class, gender, race, migration status, and geography shape workers’ experiences in different regions of the world. The course highlights both the challenges workers face and the strategies they use to resist, organize, and advocate for social and economic change.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain key concepts and theories related to globalization, work and labour.
  2. Analyze how globalization shapes labour markets and workers’ experiences across regions.
  3. Evaluate patterns of inequality related to class, gender, race, and migration.
  4. Apply critical analytical frameworks to contemporary labour market issues.
  5. Interpret debates about international trade, automation, and labour rights.
  6. Assess worker voice and democracy, including unionization and transnational solidarity.
  7. Find sources and conduct research on workers in different regions.

 

Grading

  • Attendance and participation 10%
  • Group debate 15%
  • Critical film commentary 15%
  • Midterm exam 25%
  • Final research essay & mini-workshop 35%

NOTES:

All assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade to be assigned.

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraws from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The undergraduate course grading system is A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F, N (N standing indicates student did not complete course requirements). Intervals for the assignment of final letter grades based on course percentage grades are as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Labour Studies Program follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic honesty and student conduct 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.

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:

  • Marcus Taylor and Sebastien Rioux (2017) Global Labour Studies. Polity. (Available online through the SFU library)
  • Additional readings will be available online through Canvas or the Library Course Page.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.