SCD Senior Seminar:
Contemporary Labor Issues:
Working People in Comparative and Historical Contexts
Spring 2009, Tuesday &
Thursday, 9:30 am – 10:50 am, MAC 225
Professor
Andrew E. Kersten
Office:
MAC A317
Mail:
MAC B310
Phone:
465-2443
Email:
kerstena@uwgb.edu
Web:
http://www.uwgb.edu/kerstena/index2.htm
Course
Email: C2917-sp09@uwgb.edu
Office
Hours: 11:00 am – 12:00 noon, Tuesday and Thursday
Description:
In
this course, student will examine three contemporary labor issues in historical
and comparative perspectives. They are undocumented immigration, sweatshop
labor, and free trade. The ultimate goal is to understand how the new global
economy has created opportunities for workers and has created situations that
take advantage of peopleıs labor. Students will also explore workersı responses
to their situations.
Readings:
Priscilla Murolo, et al., From
the Folks Who Brought You the Weekend
Peter Kwong, Forbidden
Workers: Illegal Chinese Immigrants and American Labor
Anita Chan, Chinaıs
Workers under Assault
Altha J. Cravey, Women
and Work in Mexicoıs Maquiladoras
Google Alerts and New York
Times for news articles
Assignments:
Attend
class every day. Take lots of notes. Read all materials assigned. Participate
in discussions. Ask questions.
Participate
in discussions of labor news coverage in the New York Times (10%)
Participate in one group
presentation about a comparative and contemporary labor issue. (30%) See syllabus
for details.
Take
two written exams. The format for these exams will be discussed in class. (15%
x 3= 45%)
Assignment Expectations:
Labor News (10%)– Each week we
will have a discussion about the labor news from your chosen country (see list
below). Sign up for Google and then select the News Alerts feature to keep
track of your country. Should there be a slow news week, please find another
article about labor issues from the New York Times and bring that to class.
Presentations (30%)—Student will
be broken up into two groups. Each group will choose topic directly related to
the class such as illegal immigration, sweatshops, employer anti-union
activities, the unionization movement, etc. Regardless of group, topics must be
chosen by week four when each group turns in a prospectus. Each presentation
must focus on contemporary events and themes. It must be rooted in comparative
and historical analyses. Groups will present during week eleven. Each
presentation must be roughly thirty minutes long. The group must provide
handouts with an outline, key terms, and bibliography of sources used and
sources for further information. Groups will be judged on their research,
presentation, and ability to generate discussion. Groups will be expected to
make use of classroom technology such as video, the Internet, and overhead
projection of information (that is, PowerPoint). After each presentation, each
group is to present me with: 1) a list of the group members and the activities
that each person did, 2) the presentation outline with the bibliography used
and the further information bibliography, and 3) any handouts or PowerPoint
slides. I prefer to have all this material handed to me on a CD-ROM. Also,
presentation groups are required to meet with me twice. We will meet once
during class to set up your group and once immediately before your
presentation. The prospectus is worth 5%, and the presentation itself is worth
25%.
Book Summaries (15%)—Write 500 word
summaries of three of the four assigned books.
Examinations (45%)— All tests
will be of the essay kind. You will be expected to answer the questions asked
by using and integrating lecture, reading, and presentation materials. In
addition, students will be expected to answer the question in good essay form
with a thesis, paragraphs, good transitions, and a well-thought conclusion. For
more writing tips see the syllabus.
Intended Student Learning Outcomes:
- Develop critical
thinking skills and exercise problem solving skills
- Develop a fundamental
understanding of labor history and contemporary and comparative labor
issues
- Identify and clarify
individual and social values in relation to working-class people
- Develop an
understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity
Student Conduct:
I
expect all students to abide by the UW-Green Bay student conduct policies. See http://www.uwgb.edu/deanofstudents/policies_procedures/index.html
and especially
http://www.uwgb.edu/deanofstudents/policies_procedures/students/civility_tolerance.html
Disability Notice:
Consistent
with the federal law and the policies of the University of Wisconsin, it is the
policy of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to provide appropriate and
necessary accommodations to students with documented physical and learning
disabilities. If you anticipate requiring any auxiliary aids or services, you
should contact me or the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities
at 465-2671 as soon as possible to discuss your needs and arrange for the
provision of services.
Additional Rules:
- During class, turn off
all telephones and other electronic or non-electronic communication
devices that ring, vibrate, hum, or otherwise annoy.
- Laptops are
acceptable, but if you are caught using them for anything other than
taking notes, you and your laptop will be asked to leave class that day,
and only one of you can return.
- Never send your written
work as an email or email attachment unless specifically instructed to do
so.
- You are not allowed to
bring in outside resources for any take-home exam or essay assignment
unless specifically directed to do so. Violating this policy may result in
a significantly reduced grade on that exam or assignment.
- You are not allowed to
use the web site Wikipedia unless specifically directed to do so.
- Always keep several
updated copies of your files on disk and at least one recent hard copy.
- Try to never miss a
class immediately following a major exam. In fact, don't skip class at
all.
- In this class, use
your best professional skills while writing, speaking, and communicating
with others.
- This class welcomes
all types of learners. Persons with disabilities that might affect
learning should contact me during the first week of class.
- Graded papers are
returned once during class. If you fail to pick up your paper, you may
retrieve it at my office during office hours. After a while, I recycle old
class papers.
- All written work over
two pages must be stapled. Quality staplers are available for under
$1. Papers that are not stapled
will not be accepted.
- Check your UW-Green
Bay email twice daily. You are responsible for reading and
understanding the email that I send you. Only send me email from your
UW-Green Bay email. The campus spam mail filter quarantines mail from
yahoo, msn, AOL, hotmail, and other providers.
- Store all your papers
and notes on a flash drive as well as your computerıs hard drive. Youıll
thank me later.
- If you have a question
about a grade on a paper or exam or the final grade, please do not email
me. Come see me in my office. Likely I will not answer your grade
inquiries if sent by email.
- Unless pre-arranged,
all assignments including extra credit are due before the last day of
class.
- Finally use this
syllabus as a class resource. Donıt misplace it. Refer to it frequently to
ensure that you are caught up on reading and studying, that your papers
meet the guidelines below, and that you understand when things will happen
in this course.
Student Etiquette:
·
Attend
class every day, and be respectful of others during class.
·
Come
to class on time and prepared for the dayıs work.
·
Participate
in class every day.
·
Read
and understand all materials.
·
Work
hard and honestly and professionally.
Writing:
All
written work must be at least 1500 words, typed or printed in black ink. You
must have your name on your paper, follow good writing etiquette, staple your
pages together, and use page numbers for papers longer than two pages.
Double-space everything. No cover pages or report covers. See my style guide: http://www.uwgb.edu/kerstena/writingtips.htm.
Grading:
Grades
are not curved. Except in emergency situations, late work will lose one letter
grade per weekday (Sunday through Saturday) without prior approval of the
instructor. Attendance will be
taken and students are expected to attend class for the entire period and are
expected to contribute to discussions.
Cheating constitutes a violation of University policy and students will
be subject to University disciplinary actions. Iım happy to talk about grades,
but not by email. Please see me during office hours or make an appointment.
Extra Credit: Periodically, there will
be extra credit opportunities. If you attend one of my recommended campus
events and turn in a 300 word summary the next class period you will get a 2%
bonus per item on the upcoming exam. 6% max per exam.
Grading Scale:
Have
you remembered the little things?
¨
Have
you put your name on the first page of the paper?
¨
Have
you remember not to attach a cover page?
¨
Have
you numbered your pages?
¨
Have
you stapled your paper?
¨
Have
you used black ink?
¨
Have
you double-spaced your paper?
Have
you remembered the big things?
¨
Have
you clearly identified your thesis?
¨
Have
you used proper paragraph form (with indents)?
¨
Have
you used topic sentences?
¨
Have
you used quotations to support your ideas?
¨
Have
you used proper footnote and bibliographic formats?
¨
Have
you revised your paper with several drafts?
Grading
Rubric:
|
As
(90-100)
|
Bs
(80-89)
|
Cs
(70-79)
|
Ds
(60-69)
|
F
(59 and below)
|
|
Your
essay is well constructed. It has paragraphs, topic sentences, and most
importantly a clear thesis. Your essay demonstrates a command of the
material. It uses quotes from the readings. You have an exceptional command
of the English language. You avoid making many grammatical or stylistic
errors.
|
Your
essay is very good. It has paragraphs. You probably need to develop your thesis
and/or topic sentences. You have a fair command of the reading materials but
could have used more quotes or direct references. You have some grammatical
and stylistic problems.
|
Your
essay is good. And yet, your essay needs work to improve its structure. You
need to work on your thesis and/or topic sentences. You have a fair command
of the reading materials. You could have used more quotes. You have serious
grammatical and stylistic problems.
|
Your
essay lacks coherence. You make errors in essay structure, style, and
grammar. You lack a command of the reading materials. You make many stylistic
and grammatical errors. This paper needs a lot of work.
|
You
failed to complete the assignment.
|
Course Outline:
I. Historical
Background: Working People in Historical Context
Week One
(Jan.
27) T: Introduction
(Jan.
29) R: Country Discussion (find out basic history of your country using the
Internet)
II.
Sweatshop, U.S.A.
Week Two: An Introduction to U.S. Labor History
(Feb.
3) T: Lecture on US Labor History
(Feb.
5) R: Discuss Muroloıs book & Country News Discussion [Summary Due]
Week Three:
Immigrants and the Labor Movement
(Feb.
10) T: Discuss Muroloıs book
(Feb.
12) R: Lecture on US Immigration and relation to US labor & Country News
Discussion
Week Four:
Discussion of Kwong
(Feb.
17) T: First half of Kwongıs book [Summary
Due]
(Feb.
19) R: Second half of Kwongıs book & Country News Discussion
*** PROSPECTUS DUE ***
Week Five: Presentations of
Contemporary U.S. Labor Issues in Comparative Context
(Feb.
24) T: Golden Venture film
(Feb.
26) R: Golden Venture film
Week Six: Exam
(Mar.
3) T: Review
(Mar.
5) R: Written Exam 1
III. Mexicoıs New
Industrial Revolution
Week Seven: An
Introduction to Mexican Labor History
(Mar.
10) T: Lecture on Mexican History
(Mar.
12) R: Lecture on Mexican Labor History & Country News Discussion
Week Eight: The
Mexican and American Industrial Revolutions
(Mar.
17) T: Spring Break
Week Nine:
Discussion of Cravey
(Mar.
24) T: First half of Craveyıs book [Summary
Due]
(Mar.
26) R: Research Day for your Group Presentation
Week Ten: Presentations of
Contemporary Mexican Labor Issues in Comparative Context
(Mar.
31) T: Research Day for your Group Presentation
(Apr.
2) R: Second half of Craveyıs book & Country News Discussion
Week Eleven: Exam
(Apr.
7) T: Group Preparation Day
(Apr.
9) R: Review
IV.
Chinaıs Market Revolution
Week Twelve: An
Introduction to Chinese Labor History
(Apr.
14) T: Written Exam 2
(Apr.
16) R: Lecture on Chinese History & Country News Discussion
Week Thirteen:
Chinaıs New Economy and the Crisis of Chinese Workers
(Apr. 21) T: Lecture on
Chinese Labor History
(Apr.
23) R: Film about Modern Chinese economy & Country News Discussion
Week Fourteen:
Discussion of Chan
(Apr.
28) T: Lecture on Chinaıs New Economy
(Apr.
30) R: First part of Chanıs book [Summary
Due]
Week Fifteen: Presentations
of Contemporary Chinese Labor Issues in Comparative Context
(May
5) T: Second part of Chanıs book
(May
7) R: Review & Country News Discussion
Final
exam: Thursday, May 14, 8:00-10:00 am
Presentation
Prospectus
Directions: Reproduce this
page. Attach copies of your
outline and bibliography. I will
return this form and attachments as soon as possible. Remember this form must
be typed.
1. Your name(s):
2. Proposed
title of presentation:
3. Write a 150 word abstract of your proposed presentation.
4. On the back, provide a topic outline that describes the
sections and major points which will be discussed in your presentation.
5. Provide your bibliography on a separate page.
List
of Countries for weekly news updates:
