SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND ORGANIZATION

Worker or employee is one of the central roles that almost everyone has to take throughout the course of their life. And it is through work that society shapes our social experiences and impacts our life chances in a most significant way. Moreover, the significance of work for members of society goes far beyond their personal identities and daily activities. Most individuals may not be aware that such a common social activity as work is entwined with many other social institutions, societal structure, and social processes – especially social inequality. Therefore, this course encourages students to challenge some taken for granted notions regarding work. While this course is designed to offer a broad historical and contemporary overview on a global scale, it also emphasises selected topics in greater depth. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to consider work from various sociological perspectives and will understand the historical development of forms of work. They will further be able to understand and anticipate tensions between work and other social activities, and will gain an appreciation of, and be able to analyse, human interactions in modern industrial environments generally.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to 1. Understand work from various sociological perspectives; 2. Review the historical development of forms of work; 3. Anticipate tensions between work and other social activities; 4. Analyse human interactions in modern industrial environments.

Through focusing on the sociological aspects of work, this course will contribute to students being able to enter the world of work comfortably and efficiently. Moreover, the sociological knowledge that they will gain enabling them to be effective managers and employees within the workplace.