The Future of Work in Massachusetts: A Labor Focused Critical Learning Seminar

This is a two semester course that will introduce students to the Labor Studies major.  The content of the course will focus on the Labor Studies theme: The Future of Work in Massachusetts.   Society is undergoing economic changes comparable to the agricultural and industrial revolutions of past centuries.  The move from an industrial to a service economy, rapid changes in technology and the growth of part-time and contingent work are some of the changes that are happening.  We will study the history of work, analyze the changes that are affecting work and the workplace, and look at the implications for our communities and the Labor Movement.

Competencies: Dimensions of learning (CORCOM 100); Critical inquiry (CORCOM 110); Understanding arguments (CORCOM 140); Making arguments (CORCOM 235).

Back to top...

Terry McLarney & Susan Moir

Introduction to Labor Economics: Unions & Collective Bargaining

LABCTR

This course introduces the themes of work and workers. We will survey a number of issues, including labor history, labor unions, labor laws, organizing, collective bargaining, international competition and how globalization affects workers.

This course is cross-listed with Econ 391.

Competencies: Analyzing the problems of workers & their organizations (LABCOM 200).

Back to top...

Marlene Kim

Negotiations for Labor Contracts

LAWCTR 200

Students will explore and practice effective negotiations in a variety of contexts, with focus on labor negotiations. Through role plays, reading and discussion, students will identify and practice essential negotiating principles and skills; practice preparing for, conducting and evaluating negotiations; and explore how power relations impact negotiations.

This course is cross-listed with Philosophy of Law.

Competencies: Negotiation (LEGLED 235); Making arguments (CORCOM 235).
Back to top...

Gene Binda

Introduction to Labor Organizing

ORGCTR 200

This class will focus on building argument, analysis and evaluation skills. Its aim is to increase students' ability to construct strong arguments for their own positions as well as to respond to opposing arguments. We will work on constructing effective written arguments as well as on delivering persuasive advocacy speeches.

Competencies: Methods & goals of organizing (ORGCOM 200); Making arguments (CORCOM 235).

Back to top...

Gary Dotterman

Advanced Organizing

ORGCTR 300

Th main focus of this course will be Labor Organizaing and building Labor/Community partnerships.  It is open to students in all majors.  The course will build upon the work done in Introduction to Organizing, by askign students to delve deeper into the role fo the organizer and the strategies used to organize.  Students will explore how organizers form both labor and community groups have successfully achieved their goals.  They will examine how these strategies are used through an analysis of a case study.

Competencies: The organizer's role (ORGCOM 220); Analyzing and evaluating organizing strategies (ORGCOM 300).

Back to top...

Gary Dotterman

Legislative Strategies Seminar

CORCTR 210

This Labor Studies project-based seminar is open to students in all majors.  The course will examine the formal and informal processes by which governmental bodies make decisions about fundamental issues affecting the rights of citizens. In addition to classroom work, students will complete a project in which they follow a piece of legistlation through the Massachusetts General Court and analyze the strategies used to advance and/or defeat the legislation. In this course, students will apply concepts and answer critical questions about democratic decision-making that can be applied to other issues and that will help them to become more effective political participants and advocates.

Competencies: Participation in government (CORCOM 210); Public and community action II (CORCOM 280) OR Public and community action III (CORCOM 352).

Back to top...

Rich Marlin

Division of Labor

LABCTR 220

Among the many changes that have affected the workforce over the past three decades has been the growth of nonstandard, "contingent" work arrangements: temporary, contract, and part-time employment. Although these arrangements differ significantly from each another, they all differ from the standard full-time job with the expectation of ongoing employment. Nonstandard work changes many aspects of the employment relationship.  Some workers move across work sites. Other work from contract to contract. Others work a shorter-than-standard schedule. Many work through temporary help agencies, which place them with these agencies' clients.

In this course we will study the historical progression from the standard industrial model of work relationships to the nonstandard model in the "new workplace." We will also analyze a range of case studies that, together, illustrate the scope and variety of contingent work arrangements. In these case studies, we will examine the various ways in which nonstandard work changes the legal and social foundations of employment; the problems that contingent status creates for many workers; the implications of these changes for workplace justice; the likely reasons for the growth of the contingent work force; and possible responses to current trends.

Competencies: Choose one or two of the following: Assessing workers' power (LABCOM 220); Concepts of justice (LEGLED 235); Legal Studies I or II (LEGLED 341 or 342); Debating policy III (CORCOM 351).
Back to top...

Terry McLarney

Basic Legal Advocacy--Stewards Work

LAWCTR 265

Using hypothetical cases and role plays, students learn legal advocacy skills necessary to present a client's case to an agency decision maker. Our focus will be on effective interviewing techniques, how to introduce testimony via direct and cross examination, making proper objections, the presentation of documentary evidence, and making persuasive oral and written arguments.

Competencies: Legal advocacy (LEGLED 265).

Back to top...

Terry McLarney

Popular Education for Labor Educators

TADCTR 300

This one week intensive course, offered during the week of March 17-21, 2008, will expose students to the theories of adult learning and Freirean philosophy that underpin "popular education," as well as explorewith students different popular education approaches and tools--including the use of triggers, generative themes, and "forum theatre."  Students will work in small groups durign the course to design their own training curriculum.  On the final day, each group will conduct thier workshop and receive feedback from their fellow students.

Competencies: Designing a curriculum (TADCOM 300); Training implementation (TADCOM 320).

Back to top...

Tess Ewing and Anneta Argyres

Union Administration

MGTCTR 340

This course is taught on five Saturdays. It will be of interest to union officers and staff who would like to have more skills and confidence in the administrative abilities; rank and file leaders preparing to run for office and union members who are interested in pursuing an education in Labor Studies. Topics will include legal requirements, benefits, financial managements, personnel and human resources, supervision and dispute resolution and the role of technology in organizing stronger and democratic unions.

Competencies: Management theories & practice (MGTCOM 340); Leading & strengthening worker organizations (LABCOM 300).

Back to top...

Susan Moir

Industrial America

LABCTR 300

This course examines the industrial age in the US and concludes with readings of the era of deindustrialization.  The course will focus on workers' on the job experience with some attention to workers as "objects" of concern and investigation, as people managers wanted to discipline and control, but students also assess workers as "subjects" struggling for power in their workplaces and communities.

This course is cross-listed with the History department.

Competencies: Building workers organizations (LABCOM 300); Reading life histories (CORCOM 120) OR Historical change (CORCOM 220).

Back to top...

Jim Green

Workers of the World Unite

LABCTR 340

This course examines how the United States influences workers' rights and trade union laws in the international arena. The course looks at the activities of official US agencies, US labor unions, and non-governmental/business organizations. Specific examples are drawn from case studies including Northern Ireland, the Balkans, and Iraq.  The course then focuses on developing strategies whereby US workers can attempt to strengthen the rights of workers and unions outside of the United States and the importance of such strategies.

Competencies: Strategic analysis for labor (LABCOM 400); Legal studies I or II; Influencing policy (CORCOM 350) OR Critical practice (CORCOM 330); Public advocacy capstone (CORCOM 440).

Back to top...

Terry McLarney

Strategic Analysis for the Labor Movement Seminar

LABCTR 400

Students in this course will study, discuss and analyze how today's labor organizations are responding to the past 25 years of government attacks on the right of U.S. workers' to organize. The course will include presentations from leaders in the Massachusetts Labor Movement who will address strategic analysis in different industries (construction and health care), in different sectors (industrial, service, and public), and in political organizing.   Guest lecturers will present case studies on developing and implementing strategic plans.  Competency evaluation will be heavily weighted towards students' participation and writing.  In conjunction with advising, course work may lead to a Labor Studies Capstone project.

Competencies: Strategic analysis for worker (LABCOM 400).

Back to top...

Susan Moir

Field Placements in Worker Organizations

FLDCTR

Through the Labor Studies program, you will complete a one semester field placement in a worker organization, while also completing at least one competency.  You must be able to commit to a minimum of 40 hours of work over the semester and adhere to a set work schedule.   Depending on your skills and interests, you can work with one of the following worker organizations: Jobs with Justice, Women's Institute for Leadership Development, Teamsters Local 26, Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health, or Service Employees Local 615, among others. 

Competencies: Your work can be applied to a number of different competencies, including, but not limited to:  Leading & Strengthening Workers' Organziations, Designing and Delivering a Training Curriculum, Public and Community Action II or III, Methods and Goals of Organizing, Assessing Workers' Power. In the past CPCS students have also earned Community Media & Technology competencies.

Back to top...

Return to Labor Studies Home page. . .

Susan Moir