World of Work — Course Overview and Key Concepts
Course Overview
The course examines the organization of work and industry through a sociological lens, focusing on the world of work and its connections to inequality, power, and society. It emphasizes understanding changes and challenges in the Canadian labor market, the role of paid and unpaid work, and how race, gender, class, and other factors shape workplaces and labor relations.
Topics Covered
Topics include the nature of work and labor, theories of labor and labor markets, historical and contemporary context, unions, occupational health and safety, gender and paid/unpaid work, immigration and immigrant workers, disability and inaccessible workplaces, youth and aging in the workforce, globalization, and the future of work. The course explores the informal economy, social reproduction, and how technology and industrialization transform work over time. Students are encouraged to connect concepts to personal work experiences and current events.
Readings and Materials
The primary required text is Adams, Tracy. Working in Canada: A Sociological Perspective. Other readings will be posted on the course's online platform (B12). Access issues may arise; a VitalSource/electronic option is available and referenced in the syllabus with approximate costs. Readings are essential for discussion, case studies, and the final reflection assignments.
Assessments
Assessments include Attendance and Participation (ongoing), a Midterm worth of the grade on October 22, a Group Case Study worth with cases released October 27 and an in-class sample, a Short Written Presentation worth , an Individual Reflection worth due December 4, and a Personal Reflection (3–4 pages) due December 8. The term also includes collaborative group work, in-class discussions, and opportunities to discuss and revise work as the term progresses. Details are provided in the syllabus and will be clarified throughout the term.
Course Logistics and Instructor
Instructor: Leslie Nichols, Professor in the Equity University Human Rights program. Office located in the Arts Building, between two doors that should be open; available for appointments (e.g., Monday 1–2) and other days by request. Readings and course materials will be posted online; technical issues with the online platform may occur and will be addressed. Emphasis is placed on discussions, critical thinking, and linking readings to personal work experiences.
Day 1 Activities and Learning Goals
Day 1 focuses on introductions, course expectations, and an interactive discussion about why we study work. Students share what they want to learn and how their experiences connect to the topics. An icebreaker asks students to write three to five eye chips (adjectives) to describe work and then discuss these with neighbors, followed by a large-group discussion. The aim is to foster comfort, connect personal experience to course concepts, and set the stage for ongoing dialogue and reflection throughout the term.
Key Concepts and Quick Recall
Core ideas include the distinction between paid and unpaid work and the social reproduction of daily life, the informal versus formal economy, and how industrialization and modernization shift the structure of work from primary sectors (farming, mining) to manufacturing and, increasingly, the service sector. The course highlights how power relations are produced in the labor market by race, gender, and class, and how education, technology, and globalization reshape opportunities and inequalities. Finally, students learn to apply sociological theories to real-world labor issues, develop critical thinking and research skills, and begin linking their readings to personal work experiences for later assignments.
Tips for Success
Attend regularly, participate in discussions, and connect readings to your own experiences. Start a notes file for quotes or ideas that could appear in your final reflection, and use the group activities to build a supportive network for the term. If you miss a class, review the posted materials and reach out to the instructor for guidance on participation.