GEOG139

Description

In order to meet our needs and desires, most of us need to work. Work has numerous implications for our lives and communities, and is a central aspect of political economy. This course will seek to develop a critical analysis of work and engage with the problem of building workers power, with a focus on precarious worker organizing. First, we will draw on literature in the social sciences (including geography) to: interrogate what does and does not count as work, and the consequences of this; consider the wide variety of forms that work takes and the inequalities that this reflects and/or contributes to; examine how the conditions of work are determined; and seek to understand how workers exercise "agency" to improve their conditions. Second, we will look at case studies, and hear from guest speakers from workers' organizations. A final group project will be geared towards the work of one of these organizations. The course will appeal to students with an interest in Geography, Labor Studies, and/or social movements. It will be offered as an elective course in Geography and designated as a Problem of Practice course.