SOU44051/SOU44053 Labour Markets, Gender and Institutions

Module Content/Outline:

Markets, States and Work – introduces students to important concepts, theories and empirical research in economic sociology and the sociology of work. The first section of the module discusses classical interpretations of the rise of ‘market society’ before analysing different systems of capitalism and welfare in Europe and the role of the state in shaping economies and societies and responding to pressures for institutional change. The second section focuses on contemporary experiences of work and unemployment in Western Europe, including the relationship between skills and work, services work, flexible work and the impact of ‘globalisation’ on work. In particular, we engage with debates on change and continuity in working lives in ‘post-industrial’ Europe. Finally, in the third section, Western European labour markets are analysed through the prism of labour migration. We examine policies on high skilled and low skilled labour immigration, as well as foreign workers’ experiences in different labour markets.

Learning Objectives:

Students successfully completing the module will be able to:

Relate classical interpretations of market society with contemporary experiences at work;
Compare and contrast and critically analyse different
forms of capitalism in Western Europe;
Engage in debates on the future of welfare states
Critically analyse theories of change and continuity in contemporary work experiences;
Describe and account for different labour immigration policies in Western Europe;
Communicate effectively in both oral and written form through PowerPoints, discussions and research essays.

Lectures & Tutorials/ Contact hours:

One lecture and one tutorial per week.
Workload: Lectures: 22 hrs; Tutorials: 22 hrs; Exams/assignments: 22 hrs; Self-study: 284 hrs. Total: 350 hours.

Recommended Texts/ Key Reading:

.Blau, F., Ferber, M.A. and Winkler, A.E. (2006) The Economics of Women, Men and Work, Pearson Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River.
Borjas, G.J. (1999) Heaven’s Door: Immigration policy and the American economy, Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Edgell, S. (2012) The Sociology of Work. Continuity and Change in Paid and Unpaid Work. London: Sage
Haas, J. (2007) Economic Sociology: An Introduction. Abingdon: Routledge
Bosch, G., Lehndorff, S. and Rubery, J. (eds.) (2009) European Employment Models in Flux: A Comparison of Institutional Change in Nine European Countries. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan
Ruhs, M. and Anderson, B. (2010) Who Needs Migrant Workers? Labour Shortages, Immigration and Public Policy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.