Introductory description

Work in the 21st Century is often described as being 'in crisis'. There has been a decline in numbers of 'good' jobs, decent work and lifetime careers, and a rise in forms of unstable, exploitative and damaging forms of work. Workers around the world juggle multiple jobs, are adversely incorporated into the labour market, are stressed, injured or exhausted by their work. This module explores theories, concepts and research in the sociology of work to understand contemporary work and its effects on the lives and bodies of workers.

The module explores four especially powerful dimensions of work in a time of crisis and catastrophe. It looks at technologies of work, at the crisis in care and social reproduction, at the expansion of precarious modes of living, and at the catastrophe of environmental change.

The module is taught entirely online. After an introductory week, we take two weeks to cover each of the four topics. Students are expected to engage with lecture material, readings and online activities in their own time; they also attend a fortnightly online seminar to discuss their reflections on the topic.

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.

Introduction: How do sociologists think about work?

1. Precarious lives
   a. the changing nature of employment
   b. forced labour

2. Technologies and machines:
   a. making electronics: factory work in global production networks.
   b. computers, office work and already-existing automation.

3. Care and social reproduction
   a. domestic labour and domestic service.
   b. the dangers of work.

4. Environmental work
   a. green work, dirty work
   b. jobs vs environment or a Just Transition?

Learning outcomes

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

• Understand key ideas in the sociology of work
• Understand the ways different forms of work are interconnected
• Understand and critically reflect on ways that work is changing
• Understand how key actors – workers, unions, corporations, states and para-state organisations – affect how work is organised
• Gain in-depth knowledge of the treatment of workers, technology and work, care work and/or environmental labour
• Critically assess commentary on the changing nature of work
• Address the aims and objectives of the module demonstrating close engagement with module materials

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

International

The module studies work across the globe, and explores the interconnections and interdependencies of work in different places. It considers how global capitalism - through states, corporations and para-state actors - affects the lifeworld of workers.

Subject specific skills

Critical engagement with academic and non academic material - new capabilities in the analysis of contemporary changes to global work.
Critical reading of theoretically and methodologically diverse material - enhanced capabilities in understanding epistemic claims of sociologists.
Discussion of sociological knowledges - enhanced capabilities in making sociological arguments.

Transferable skills

Enhanced capabilities in:
comprehension of complex arguments,
development of independent lines of analysis,
digital literacy,
group work
short and long-form writing