Introductory description

This module introduces students to key concepts and debates about the role of work and labour in processes of global
sustainable development.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1- Introduction: Work, Labour, and Global Sustainable Development
Part 1: 'Full and Productive Employment'
Week 2 - Labour Markets and (un)Employment
Week 3 - Skills
Part 2: Thinking Globally About Work
Week 4 - Global Production Networks
Week 5 - Labour Migration
Part 3: Making Work 'Decent'
Week 6 - Global Labour Governance
Week 7 - Unfree Labour and Modern Slavery
Week 8 - The Informal Economy and the Dilemmas of Formalization
Part 4: The Future of Work
Week 9 - Green Jobs and 'Just Transitions'
Week 10 — Automation: Towards Jobless Growth?

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• By the end of this module, students will be able to understand key concepts in the study of work (i.e. employment and unemployment, free and unfree labour, informal work, global production networks).
• By the end of this module, students will be able critically assess major debates about the changing nature of work in the global economy.
• By the end of this module, students will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of cross-disciplinary perspectives on the relationships between labour and global sustainable development.
• By the end of this module, students will be able to undertake independent research and writing.

Indicative reading list

Marcus Taylor and Sebastien Rioux (2017) Global Labour Studies, Polity.
Ben Selwyn (2014) The Global Development Crisis, Polity.
Edward Webster, Rob Lambert, and Andries Beziudenhout (2008) Grounding Globalization: Labour in the Age of Insecurity, Blackwell.
Carl-Ulrik Schierup et al., eds. (2015) Migration, Precarity, and Global Governance: Challenges and Opportunities for Labour, Oxford University Press.
ILO (2014) Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour, International Labour Organization.
ILO (2014) Transitioning from the Informal to the Formal Economy, International Labour Organization.
Mike Davis (2006) Planet of Slums, Verso.
UNEP (2007) Labour and the Environment: A Natural Synergy, Geneva: United Nations Environment Program.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

Research skills are embedded into the teaching strategy of the module. For this module students are expected to undertake independent research and writing.

Interdisciplinary

This is an optional module on the Global Sustainable Development course which adopts an interdisciplinary approach spanning the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences fields in order to engage with the major global challenges facing contemporary society, explore these 'big problems,' from a variety of perspectives and consider a range of possible solutions. Specifically, this module aims to equip students with advanced knowledge of various cross-disciplinary theories and empirical evidence on the determinants of inequalities, its consequences, and people’s attitudes to them.

International

This is an optional module on the Global Sustainable Development course which offers a unique trans-disciplinary and international learning experience that allows students to achieve breadth and depth of knowledge.

Subject specific skills

Ability to:
critically assess and analyse sustainability issues that need to be addressed, including real-life examples
use and apply established frameworks and methodologies for analysing the impact(s) of a behaviour or process
generate and evaluate different models of sustainable development to assess their likely impact
actively implement or contribute to changes that promote sustainable development within the scope of own learning experience
engage with real-life problems relevant to sustainable development
use historical knowledge and an understanding of the consequences of past actions to envision how futures may be shaped
identify the importance of empowering individuals and organisations to work together to create new knowledge
employ leadership for sustainable development by challenging assumptions and negotiating alternatives to unsustainable current practices
identify the opportunities to support and develop a progressive and resilient culture that encourages citizens, professions and institutions to put learning into practice

Transferable skills

Written communication skills
Oral communication skills
Working with others
Problem solving
Information technology
Numeracy
Research across various disciplines
Peer review