SOCI2004 Sociology of Work and Organisations

2020

4.5

1 x 2-hour seminar weekly

1 1 first year topic in American Studies
1a 1 first year topic in Development Studies
1b 1 first year topic in Asian Studies
1c 1 first year topic in History
1d 1 first year topic in International Relations
1e 1 first year topic in Political Studies
1f 1 first year topic in Sociology
1g 1 first year topic in Social Admin & Social Work
1h 1 first year topic in Women's Studies
2 EDUC1120 - Teaching and Educational Contexts
2a DRAM1002 - Drama 1B: Bodies of Work
2b SCME1001 - Media and Society
2c SCME1002 - Convergence Cultures
2d ENGL1101 - Approaches to Literature
2e JUSS1000 - An Introduction to Justice and Society
2f LEGL1101 - Australian Justice System
2g LEGL1102 - Contentious Justice Issues
2h CRIM1101 - Crime and Criminology
2i CRIM1102 - Criminal Justice System
2j PSYC1101 - Psychology 1A
2k PSYC1102 - Psychology 1B
2l DSRS1201 - Perspectives on Disability and Rehabilitation
2m DSRS1209 - Human Diversity
2n HLTH1003 - Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care
2o ENVH1702 - Our Environment, Our Health
2p HLPE1541 - Social Determinants of Health
2q NURS1003 - Psychosocial Perspectives of Health Care
2r LEGL1201 - Law in Australian Society
Must Satisfy: (((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h)) or ((2 or 2a or 2b or 2c or 2d or 2e or 2f or 2g or 2h or 2i or 2j or 2k or 2l or 2m or 2n or 2o or 2p or 2q or 2r)))

SOCI2012 has been successfully completed

Associated major: Sociology

What is work? How is it organised? What social relations (gender, class, race,

age) underpin our opportunities for 'doing' work? And what does this mean for how we construct our 'work identity'? In considering these questions we will be critically examining various forms of work and the concepts and mechanisms relating to work from the perspective of the worker and their experience of work. While the world of work is constantly changing, the changes are often contradictory: work is more precarious, but we are required to invest more of 'our selves' into it; it is more flexible, but gaining work-life balance is even more difficult; there is 'equal pay' yet the gender gap still exists. Sociology helps to make sense of these contradictions by taking a critical perspective on social institutions and the agency of workers in shaping work, resistance and change.

This topic aims to:

1. Introduce sociological concepts and theories associated with work, work organisations, and work identities
2. Demostrate the gendered, global, and regulatory contexts within which work is constructed
3. Focus on changes in work as a means of exploring:
   • The relation of different forms of work to gender, class, race and age
   • Organisational cultures and power
   • Embodiment and emotions in the relationshop between work and identity
4. Encourage constructive and informed participation in seminars.

On successful completion of this topic students should be able to:

1. Apply the key sociological concepts, structures and evidence to key issues in the construction of work and work identities
2. Critically assess and analyse the ways in which work is connected to - power, and how social relations (gender, class, race and age) shape which forms of work are valued and which are marginalised
3. Draw on evidence and evaluate competing explanations when communicating an argument (or position) on work-related issues
4. Work collaboratively through participating in an informed and constructive manner in discussions and activities