Critical Social Inquiry 0137 - Gender/Work/Global Economy

This course focuses on the labor market transformations that have resulted from economic restructuring informed by neoliberal policies and the reorganization of production in both high and low income countries over the last four decades or so. The course analyzes the gendered dimensions of these processes, points out the contradictory tendencies at work and emphasizes the shared concerns of workers across the globe. Among the questions that will be addressed in the course are the following: what repercussions have these changes in the structure of production in the world economy had on employment dynamics in high- and low-income countries? What does the feminization of the labor force mean, and how is it different from the feminization of labor? What are the main trends leading to labor market informalization? What are the gendered implications of these trends for people who must work for a living? Can we generalize across countries? Is there a role for government policy, international labor standards, as well as social and political activism across borders in raising wages and incomes, fighting discrimination in the workplace, securing greater control over working hours and conditions and achieving economic security, for all those who must work for a living?

Power, Community and Social Justice Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.