OVERVIEW

The course is aimed at offering an overview of the history of the social division of labor and production methods. A critical reflection on how the Italian labour market works will be developed. Two main focus: on the one hand, the role of the social construction processes of femininity and masculinity in shaping individual working lives; on the other hand, the main reforms of the Italian Labour market since the late ‘90s. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The class offers some tools for an analytical analysis of the main trends of the Italian labour market, with some focuses on some of its main actors (young people, women and migrants).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim is to stimulate a critical approach to the analysis of social processes that contribute to designing work biographies, as well as providing skills related to laws that regulate the labor market in which students will find themselves operating.

At the end of the course students are expected to be able to recognize and deconstruct the role of cultural models and stereotypical representations in the definition of opportunities and barriers (important competence for future teachers/educators), and know the employment contracts required by current laws.

The main notions relating to the history of work and production will be introduced, with particular reference to the changes that have occurred in the last thirty years. Students are expected to acquire these concepts by not only knowing how to use them correctly but also developing a critical approach.

PREREQUISITES

General Sociology 66880

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching approach will be participatory.

Discussion and debate will be encouraged, also through the use of digital platforms, starting from concepts presented via slides and videos.

Students will be invited to contribute by suggesting materials—including visual ones (videos, films, songs, readings, newspaper articles, social media posts)—related to the topics covered in class, as well as to themes that may emerge from classroom discussions.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program, characterized by an analysis of the labor market from a gender perspective, is structured around the following key themes:

1. Changes in the meaning of work over time in Western societies: from antiquity to the contemporary era

2. Key concepts to understand: demand; supply; rates

3. The evolution of women’s work across generations

4. Donna Faber: male-dominated jobs, sexism, and strategies of resistance

5. Changes in production methods and organizational models: from the Industrial Revolution to post-Fordism

6. The human costs of precarious employment

7. Neoliberalism: meaning and consequences on work organization. Workfare

8. The labor exploitation of migrant workers

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Students who do not speak Italian may request dedicated course materials in English.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

First semester.

All classes will be held at the Department of Education Sciences, University of Genoa, Corso A. Podestà 1, at the following times:

• Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• Tuesday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, September 15.

Any changes will be announced on Aulaweb.

Class schedule

SOCIOLOGY OF WORK

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will primarily be oral, unless the number of registered students makes it impossible to carry out an effective evaluation by the scheduled date.

For students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD)
Students with disabilities or with SLDs are reminded that, in order to request accommodations for exams, they must first upload their certification to the University's online platform at servizionline.unige.it in the "Students" section. The documentation will be verified by the University’s Office for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLDs (link).

Afterwards, students must send an email to the instructor of the exam at least 10 days before the exam date, copying both the School Inclusion Representative for students with disabilities and SLDs (Prof. Laura Traverso: laura.traverso@unige.it) and the Inclusion Office using one of the following email addresses:

• disabili@unige.it

• dsa@unige.it

• inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it

The email must include:

• the name of the course

• the date of the exam session

• the student’s surname, first name, and student ID number

• the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures considered helpful and being requested

Prof. Laura Traverso, the School Representative, will confirm to the instructor that the student is entitled to request exam accommodations and that these should be discussed with the instructor. The instructor will then reply, indicating whether the requested accommodations can be granted.

Requests must be submitted at least 10 days before the exam date, to allow the instructor sufficient time to assess them. In particular, if a student intends to use concept maps during the exam (which must be significantly more concise than those used for studying), failure to meet the deadline may result in insufficient time for any necessary modifications that the instructor may request.

For more information regarding the request for services and accommodations, please refer to the document: Guidelines for requesting services, compensatory tools, and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam is conceived to verify the acquisition of knowledge and skills that are not only descriptive and notional, but also argumentative and critical.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD)
Students with disabilities or with SLDs are reminded that, in order to request accommodations for exams, they must first upload their certification to the University's online platform at servizionline.unige.it in the "Students" section. The documentation will be verified by the University’s Office for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLDs (link).

Afterwards, students must send an email to the instructor of the exam at least 10 days before the exam date, copying both the School Inclusion Representative for students with disabilities and SLDs (Prof. Laura Traverso: laura.traverso@unige.it) and the Inclusion Office using one of the following email addresses:

• disabili@unige.it

• dsa@unige.it

• inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it

The email must include:

• the name of the course

• the date of the exam session

• the student’s surname, first name, and student ID number

• the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures considered helpful and being requested

Prof. Laura Traverso, the School Representative, will confirm to the instructor that the student is entitled to request exam accommodations and that these should be discussed with the instructor. The instructor will then reply, indicating whether the requested accommodations can be granted.

Requests must be submitted at least 10 days before the exam date, to allow the instructor sufficient time to assess them. In particular, if a student intends to use concept maps during the exam (which must be significantly more concise than those used for studying), failure to meet the deadline may result in insufficient time for any necessary modifications that the instructor may request.

For more information regarding the request for services and accommodations, please refer to the document: Guidelines for requesting services, compensatory tools, and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids.