LABR 155 A-Z - Special Topics in Labor StudiesSemester Hours: 3
Periodically
Exploration of important labor issues and their impacts on working people. Areas of investigation may include historical origins of and contemporary developments in labor-management relations, pay and benefit structures, occupational health and safety, employee participation, employment diversity and inequality, immigration, the youth work force, union organizing and leadership strategy, public sector collective bargaining, workplace rights and ethical issues, worker education and training, labor theory and research methods, unions’ role in politics, government labor regulations, labor-community relations, working class literature and film, media coverage of labor, human rights in the global labor market, comparative labor movements, and global unionism.
Current Special Topics
LABR 155C Migrant Labor in New York
Potatoes were once one of the most abundant and lucrative crops on Long Island. This course explores the hidden history of the migratory labor system for potato farming during the first half of the 20th century on Long Island’s East End. We will explore the wide variety of structures used as labor camps, the adverse physical and psychological impacts on the lives of workers at these camps, corrupt recruiting practices and chronic workplace and economic exploitation, efforts by outspoken critics to improve the lives of migrant workers, and factors that led to the ultimate decline of this labor system. We will also assess contemporary farm labor practices, both locally and nationally, in comparison to this era. This course is designed to introduce students to a wide variety of topics including labor law, agriculture, environmental issues, labor history, and non-profit advocacy.
This course counts for credit towards the Labor Studies major or minor. This course will also be cross-listed with Food Studies.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes:
Topics may change each semester. Students may repeat the course for credit when topics vary. Specific titles and course descriptions for special topics courses are available in the online class schedule.
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