Labor Studies Minor

Subject abbreviation: LABR
College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Ellen Reese, Ph.D., Chair
Office, 1217 Watkins Hall
(951) 827-2930; ellen.reese@ucr.edu

Committee in Charge
Piya Chatterjee, Ph.D. (Women Studies)
Christopher Chase-Dunn, Ph.D. (Sociology)
David H. Fairris, Ph.D. (Economics)
John N. Medearis, Ph.D. (Political Science)
Dylan Rodriguez, Ph.D. (Ethnic Studies)
Devra A. Weber, Ph.D. (History)

Labor studies is an interdisciplinary minor that focuses on the conditions, activities, and struggles of workers and other members of the working class from an international, contemporary, comparative and historical perspective. Although trade unions are the primary focus, students will also examine other forms of working class organizing, including community organizing, and organizing by women and people of color. Courses focus on work in formal workplaces, including service, industrial, clerical, professional, and managerial work, and may also address other forms of work, such as unpaid housework, prison labor, or work in the informal economy. The minor addresses issues affecting workers, including governmental policies, technological change, globalization, neoliberalism, and alternative models for organizing for social justice. In addition to taking academic courses, students gain hands-on experience through a one-quarter internship with a union or related organization. This minor helps to prepare students for careers in labor and community organizing, labor law, or labor regulatory agencies.

1.    Five courses (at least 20 units) from the approved list of courses

2.    An introductory labor studies course: LABR 001

3.    A labor internship (one course [at least 4 units] or the equivalent) approved by the Labor Studies chair and completed through one of the following courses: ANTH 198I, BUS 198-I, ECON 198-I, ETST 198-I, ETST 198G, HISA 198-I, POSC 198G, POSC 198-I, SOC 198-I, WMST 198-I.

4.    One course (at least 4 units) that deals with race or gender inequality: ECON 155/WMST 155, ETST 102, ETST 131, ETST 177, SOC 140, WMST 101, WMST 109/ANTH 109, WMST 140/ANTH 147, WMST 149/ANTH 149

5.    Two courses from the following: ANTH 122, ANTH 138, ANTH 139, BUS 144, BUS 155, BUS 157, BUS 160/ECON 160, ECON 146/URST 146, ECON 152/BUS 152, ECON 153/BUS 153, ECON 155/WMST 155, ETST 102, ETST 131, ETST 177, HISA 113, HISA 123/ECON 123, PHIL 116, PHIL 153, POSC 116, POSC 160A, POSC 182, POSC 186, SOC 125, SOC 133, SOC 134, SOC 135, SOC 140, SOC 150, SOC 161, SOC 171, SOC 176/BSAD 176, SOC 181, SOC 182/URST 182, WMST 101

6.    Students can also petition to the chair of the program to count towards the minor an independent study or regular course not listed above that is relevant to labor studies.

See Minors under the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences in the Colleges and Programs section of this catalog for additional information on minors.

Lower-Division Course

LABR 001. Introduction to Labor Studies (4) Lecture, 3 hours; extra reading, 3 hours. Through comparative and historical perspective, examines the social forces shaping labor conditions and workers’ struggles for justice. Covers the changing nature of work under capitalism, race and gender discrimination in the labor market, the impact of economic globalization, and unions’ successes and limitations.