Module manager: Kate Hardy
Email: k.r.hardy@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module explores the changing world of work, encompassing informal, underpaid, and unpaid work, from global perspectives. Engaging with theories of globalisation and varieties of capitalism, it considers how the interplay of transnational enterprises (e.g. multinational corporations), international agencies (e.g. the World Bank), and socio-cultural contexts shape the world of work. Delivered through a series of workshops, complemented by digitally enhanced learning resources, the module uses this theoretical grounding to understand and debate contemporary and emerging issues, such as, precarious labour, migration, valuing unpaid work, decent work, sustainability, and digitalisation and automation. In these discussions, it will consider the challenges of developing global policies for regulating and managing work. Throughout, the module draws upon decolonial approaches to understand the geopolitical configuration of developed and developing/emerging economies that influence the meaning, value, and practices of work in various regions of the world.
This module aims to (a) develop a decolonial framework of global perspectives with reference to globalisation and varieties of capitalism, and using this framework (b) understand the variations in the meaning, value, and practices of work around the world; and (c) critically assess contemporary issues and debates in the world of work.
Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of key concepts, issues, and debates related to work from decolonial global perspectives;
- critically assess the contextual factors and the role of transnational enterprises and international agencies in shaping developments in the world of work;
- analyse emerging global work practices and related policy challenges in regulating work.
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
- Work effectively as individuals and within group presentations.
Subject specific
- Articulate the complexities of work from global perspectives;
- Evaluate contemporary and emerging challenges of work.
Indicative content
This module will discuss the varied meanings and values of work, delving into how these inform the practices and organisation of work around the world. In addition to socio-cultural factors, it will pay attention to the influence of transnational enterprises and international agencies in shaping contemporary work. It will incorporate engagement with emerging debates in the field, such as, migration and labour, valuing unpaid and underpaid work, and digitalisation and automation.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 280 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
Students will undertake independent learning to prepare for the workshops, using the digitally enhanced learning resources that have been produced specifically for this module. These resources will be made available on Minerva before each workshop and students will be provided guidance on how long they should spend preparing for the workshops. The remaining hours will be spent preparing for assessment.
The workshops will help to prepare for assessment by training students to simultaneously undertake independent and group work in the classroom. The module structure will include one week for formative assessment and peer feedback.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 3,000 words | 70 |
| Presentation | Group presentation, 10-15 minutes | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The resit for this module will be 100% by 3,000 words coursework.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 02/09/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team