WORK AND OCCUPATIONS SOC 4378.

001
University of Texas at Dallas
Fall, 2005

Professor: Sheryl Skaggs, Ph.D. Lectures: Thus. 4:00 - 6:45pm

Office: GR 2.206 Room: SOM 2.901
Phone: 972-883-4460
E-Mail: slskaggs@utdallas.edu
Office Hours: Thurs. 2:30pm – 3:00pm; 7:00pm – 7:30pm (or by appointment)

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:

This course explores the meaning, experienc e, and organization of work. We will examine the institution of the labor
market and how it has changed over time as a result of technological innovation, shifts in industries and occupations,
and globalization of the economy. We will see how different types of workplaces are structured and what influence they
have over workers lives both on and off the job. In addition, we will examine the relationship between social inequality
and work organizations, paying particular attention to labor market opportunities and outcomes. The focus of this course
is on the United States with historical and cross-cultural comparisons. The material will be relevant to students’ concerns
about their own careers as it simultaneously reaches for broad awareness of work experiences.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Hodson, Randy and Teresa Sullivan, The Social Organization of Work. (3rd edition), Wadsworth, 2002.

Wharton, Amy S., Working in America: Continuity, Conflict, and Change. (2nd edition), McGraw-Hill, 2002.

Ehrenreich, Barbara, Nickel and Dimed. Henry Holt and Company, 2001.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Students are expected to be diligent in the pursuit of their studies which includes attendance, class preparation and regular
participation.

§ Attendance will be taken for each class session and this component will comprise 10% of your course grade. Students
leaving prior to the end of class without a pre-approved excuse will not receive credit for attendance during that class
session.

§ To encourage informed class discussions and to assist you in gauging your reading comprehension, a combination of 7
pop quizzes and short writing assignments will be given comprising 20% of your course grade. Each quiz or
assignment will be worth 10 points. You will be allowed to drop your two lowest grades; thus, no make-ups or late
assignments will be allowed. In order to receive credit, you must be present in class on the day the quiz or assignment is
given.

§ There will also be 2 in-class examinations* based on course readings, lectures, videos and class discussions. Each
exam will comprise 35% of your course grade. The exams will consist of essay questions.

*Make-up exams will be permitted only under extreme documented circumstances (e.g., a signed letter from your physician with
specific dates of care and condition). If it becomes absolutely necessary to miss an exam, students must contact the professor by
telephone no later than one hour prior to the scheduled exam time. The time and date of the make-up exam will be determined
by the professor and the content will differ from the original exam. No student will be allowed to make-up more than one exam.
COURSE EVALUATION:

Evaluation of the student will be based upon performance on attendance, quizzes/assignments, and examinations. The grade will be
determined on a percentage of the total points earned. If the student earns 93% of total points or more, the grade will be an A; 90% -
92% will be an A-; 87% - 89% = B+; 83% - 86% = B; 80% - 82 % = B-; 77% - 79% = C+; 73% - 76% = C; 70% - 72% = C-; 69% -
67% = D+, 66% - 63% = D, 62% - 60% = D-, 59% and below an F.

OTHER POLICIES:

§ All students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. If for some reason you are unable to attend a class, it will be
your responsibility to obtain class notes, announcements, assignments and handouts prior to the next class session.

§ Participation in class discussions is an important part of the learning process but topics should remain relevant to the
particular readings and lecture materials.

§ It is the responsibility of each student to formally drop the course if so desired. The professor will not withdraw or drop a
student from the class for nonattendance.

§ Students are expected to always be respectful of other’s opinions and beliefs in the classroom. Personal attacks and
racially/sexually harassing behaviors are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Anyone involved in such behaviors will be
asked to leave the class session.

§ As a courtesy to your fellow students and professor, all cell phones should be turned off before class begins. If, however,
you are expecting an important call during class, you should place your phone on vibrate mode and find a seat near the
door for that session.

§ Students are expected to conform to the university policy for academic honesty. Absolutely no form of academic
dishonesty will be tolerated.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: cheating on assignments or examinations;
plagiarizing (misrepresenting as your own work any part of work done by another); submitting
the same assignment, or substantially similar assignments, to meet the requirements of more
than one course without the approval of all instructors; depriving another student of necessary
course materials, or interfering with another student’s work. If in doubt about the ethics of your
actions, consult the university catalog to see the stated policy. Violations of this policy will be
punished severely and according to the fullest extent of the policy.
 TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

August 18: General Introduction

August 25: The Meaning of Work

Read:
Introduction (pp. 1-4), Wharton
The Managed Heart, Arlie Russell Hochschild, #10, Wharton
Handout: “Work: Meaning, Opportunity and Experience” (1995). in Sociology, Work and
Industry, Tony J. Watson.

Sept. 1: The World of Work

Read:
The Evolution of Work (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 1
Studying the World of Work (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 2

Film: America by Design: The Workplace

Sept. 8: The Social Organization of Work

Read:
Bureaucracy, Max Weber, #5, Wharton
Fundamental of Scientific Management, Frederick Taylor, #6, Wharton
The Hawthorne Experiment: Western Electric Company, Elton Mayo, #7, Wharton
Meaningful Work (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 4

Sept. 15: Manufacturing Work and Collective Response to Work

Read:
From Field, Mine, and Factory (Hodson & Sullivan – pp. 210 – 224) Ch. 8
Collective Responses to Work (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 6

Film: Union Maids

Sept. 22: Organizations and Work

Read:
Technology and Organization (Hodson & Sullivan; pp. 181-195) Ch. 7
Thirty Years of Making Out, Michael Burawoy, #25, Wharton
Handout: Hodson, Randy. 1995. “Worker Resistance:
An Underdeveloped Concept in the Sociology of Work”
Economic and Industrial Democracy

Sept. 29: Exam 1 (covering all course materials up to this date)

Oct. 6: Professionals
Read:
Professions and Professionals (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 11
Executives, Managers, and Administrators (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 12
The Social Structure of Managerial Work, Robert Jackall, #33, Wharton
The Marginalization of Black Executives, Sharon Collins, #34, Wharton
Oct. 13: Service, Sales, Office Work & Marginal Jobs
Read:
Clerical and Sales Workers (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 13
Marginal Jobs (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 14

Oct. 20: Low Wage Work

Read:
Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich

Oct. 27: Issues at Work

Read:
Barriers and Disruptions at Work (Hodson & Sullivan; pp. 124-37) Ch. 5
The High Technology Workplace (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 9
Labor and Management in Uncertain Times, Ruth Milkman, #13, Wharton

Nov. 3: Field Trip (details to be announced in class)

Nov. 10: The Work of Today and Tomorrow

Read:
The World of the Large Corporation (Hodson & Sullivan) Ch. 15
Future of Work (Hodson and Sullivan) Ch. 17
Employee Involvement, Involved Employees: Vicki Smith, #15, Wharton

Nov. 17: Exam 2