Seminars (392-0-21)

Topic

Work in the 'New' Economy

Instructors

Elsinore Kuo
Elsinore Kuo is a PhD student in the Northwestern Department of Sociology. Her research investigates how a variety of social systems support (and hinder) equitable human thriving by draining or restoring individuals’ most basic psychological resources. Her prior work has examined how students interact with professors in office hours and classrooms, how vulnerable workers respond to informal work requests, and how work systems drain workers’ capacity for self-control.

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L04: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

"Work in the 'New' Economy"

Is your future job safe from AI? Why does a "strong" economy feel so precarious for so many? From the gig economy to remote work, from AI automation to trade wars, the world of work is transforming at a dizzying pace. This course cuts through the hype to ask: What's truly new about the "new" economy, and what can theories about the ‘old' economy tell us (or not) about what comes next?

We will learn how workers' experiences and opportunities are shaped by their relationships—to employers, to other workers, to consumers, and to new technologies like "AI." Course readings include a combination of foundational sociological texts and contemporary case studies.

This course is designed for students of all backgrounds with a strong interest in understanding the forces that structure our economic lives. You will leave with a deeper understanding of the current economy, and the skills to predict and interpret the future of work as it unfolds.

Learning Objectives

1. Students will develop an understanding of the "new" economy grounded in sociological theory and empirical evidence.
2. Students will develop analytical toolkits for evaluating claims about the economy and making well-justified predictions about its future.
3. Students will strengthen critical reading, reasoning, and writing skills.
4. Students will have the opportunity to learn how professional sociologists work together to understand the social world.

Teaching Method

Lecture and discussion.

Evaluation Method

Two short papers, one final project (group projects okay), and contribution to collaborative learning (either via in-class discussion or by contributing discussion questions via email).

Class Materials (Required)

This course will have required books/other materials.

Cowie, J. (2019). Capital moves: RCA's seventy-year quest for cheap labor. Cornell University Press. ISBN-13: 9781565846593 (any edition is okay)

Ehrenreich, B., & Hochschild, A. R. (Eds.). (2003). Global woman: Nannies, maids, and sex workers in the new economy. Macmillan. ISBN-13: 9781429963053

Class Attributes

Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area