Office Number: University Hall 458

Name: Dana Dunn

Office Number: University Hall 458

Office Telephone Number:817-272-2661

Email Address:

Office Hours:Monday and Wednesday, 12:00 to 12:30 and at other times by appointment. Email me to schedule an appointment beyond office hours and I will work to set something compatible with your schedule.

Course Number and Course Title: SOCI 3351—Work in Modern Society

Class Time: MWF 11:00 to 11:50 Please note that class is cancelled for Monday September 19th and Wednesday, November 2nd. These times should be used to work on the class paper/presentation described below.

Description of Course Content: This course explores the changing patterns of work in modern society. Topics include the impact of technology, changing characteristics of the workforce, and developments in the organizational and occupational structure. We also examine the changing nature of work in a global economy.

Student Learning Outcomes:

(1) Students will be able to describe what is meant by the social organization of work.

(2) Students will be able to explain the consequences of work for individuals and for society.

(3) Students will be able to apply the major theoretical frameworks and concepts of sociology to understand the social organization of work.

(4) Students will be able to explain how sociological research methods can be used to better understand work and its impact on individuals and society.

(5) Students will be able to describe the evolution of work over time and how related changes in the division of labor, technology, and globalization impact individuals and society.

Required Textbook: The Social Organization of Work (5th edition) by Randy Hodson and Teresa A. Sullivan, Thompson/Wadsworth Publishers, 2008.

Additional Reading Requirement: One of the books from the following list. Do not purchase thisbook until assignments are made the first week of class. During one of the first classes you will be asked to select one of these books for your class paper and presentation. There will be limits on the number of students who can select any one book, so it would serve you well now to consider your first and second choices. Please note that these books are not available in the university bookstore and may not be in the UT Arlington library. You can purchase the books from the publisher or other online sources. Most of the books can also be acquired via interlibrary loan, but you will not be able to keep the books beyond the brief loan interval. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you purchase the book you select. Should you encounter any difficulties locating the book for purchase, let me know and I will assist you. Purchase the book soon as in some instances it may take a bit for it to arrive.

The Working Life: The Promise and Betrayal of Modern Work by Joanne B. Ciulla (Three Rivers Press, 2000). This book explores how people have let jobs take over their lives in an age where technology was supposed to free us from work.

The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World’s Most Powerful Company Really Works—and How It’s Transforming the American Economyby Charles Fishman (Penguin Books, 2006). The title of this book does a good job of describing the main argument.

Cheaper by the Hour: Temporary Lawyers and the Deprofessionalization of the Law by Robert A. Brooks. (Temple University Press, 2011). This book is an account of freelance attorneys and how these professionals feel diminished, degraded, and demeaned by work that is often tedious and repetitive.

Black Corporate Executives: The Making and Breaking of a Black Middle Class by Sharon M. Collins (Temple University Press 1996). This book examines a subtle new form of employment discrimination directed against black managers.

Just a Temp by Kevin D. Henson (Temple University Press, 1996). This book is an indepth look at the temporary work and it’s impact on workers.

We Can’t Eat Prestige: The Women Who Organized Harvard by John Hoerr (Temple University Press, 2001). This book is focused on the women workers at Harvard University who created a unique and powerful union.

Engineering Culture: Control and Commitment in a High-Tech Corporation by Gideon Kunda(Temple University Press 2006—revised edition). This book explores the corporate culture in the engineering division of a large American high-tech corporation.

Pedal to the Metal: The Work Life of Truckers by Lawrence J. Ouellet (Temple University Press, 1994). This book explores and analyzes truckers work lives and work etchic.

Dishing it Out: Power and Resistance Among Waitresses in a New Jersey Restaurant by Greta FoffPaules (Temple University Press, 1991). This book examines the strategies that waitresses in a family-owned restaurant employ to improve their work circumstances.

White Collar Sweat-Shop: The Deterioration of Work and Its Rewards in Corporate America by Jill Andresky Fraser (Norton Publishers, 2001). This book examines how the economic downturn has resulted in overwork, reduced salaries, job insecurity and other negative changes in the work lives of many white collar employees.

Punching In: The Unauthorized Adventures of a Front-Line Employee by Alex Frankel (Collins Publishers, 2007). This book is an indepth exploration of work in several different service sector occupations including UPS driver, retail sales, etc.

Course Requirements and Determination of Final Grade:

There will be 4 exams of equal weight. The first 3 exams will be given on Sept 26th; October 17th; October 23rd; andNovember 9th. Each exam will cover the lecture material from the period leading up to the exam (since the prior exam) and the associated readings specified in the topics list below. Thefinalexam will be given on the date announced in the university final exam schedule. The final examination is not comprehensive and will cover only lectures and readings that follow the second exam. Each exam will consist of multiple choice and/or true-false questions. There will be a brief oral exam review at the end of the class session before each exam. It is important that you be present for this review as the review material will not be reproduced by me outside the classroom.

Make up exams will not be given. If you miss an exam and provide an official, documented medical or other excuse, you will be given an alternative assignment. The assignment will be a 12 page research paper, due on the last day of class. There are no exceptions to this policy.

In addition to exams, a brief (5 to 7 pages, typewritten) paper will also be required. The paper will be a book review (reaction paper) of the book you select from the list above. The review should go well beyond description of the major themes in the book (this should be only about 1/3 of the length of the paper), and include your reaction to the book. You may criticize, analyze, or support the book. What is most important is that you situate your reaction to the book in the sociological perspective, drawing from materials explored in class lectures and the text book. If you borrow material directly from the text book, be sure to cite it properly. You are also encouraged to draw from other sociological sources. They, too, must be properly cited in the body of your review paper. The paper is due by classtime on December 2nd. Grades will be lowered a full letter grade each day for papers turned in late.

In addition to writing a paper on the book you select, you will also develop a group presentation that will be delivered in class on an assigned class date between December 2nd and 9th. The schedule for the presentations will be set early in the semester. The presentations will be group presentations and you will work with 2 to 3 of your classmates to prepare and deliver the final product. You can work together outside of class to develop your presentation and also on the two class dates (Sept 19 and Nov 2nd) we do not meet. How you choose to divide labor is up to you, but it is important that each person in the group have roughly equal input into preparation of the presentation. You may choose for everyone to have a role in presenting the material in class, or you may choose to have only one person do so. The presentation should be about 15 minutes long (it will be timed and you will not be able to exceed this limit). You should prepare a 1-2 page handout or powerpoint type presentation to share with your classmates (bring enough copies for everyone in the class). Presentations should provide an overview of the book, focused on key arguments, and this overview should be tied to material in course lectures and readings. You should start early on your presentation. If you wait until late in the semester the quality of what you produce will likely be impacted and your grade will reflect this. I will assign a group grade to each project, but will also have each group member complete a form rating the contributions of the other group members. In cases where peer ratings indicate that group members did not pull their weight on the project, differential grades may be assigned to group members.

Your grades will be determined as follows:

Exams 1-4 each constitute 19% of your total course grade

Book review paper constitutes 14% of your total course grade

Presentation constitutes 10% of your total course grade

Attendance Policy: Class attendance is typically not taken, but those who attend class regularly make better grades. Those who miss class regularly typically do poorly because much of the testing is based on class lectures. Not all of the material covered on the test is in the text book. IMPORTANT: Class attendance will be taken for the last 4 classes (December 2-9th. You are expected to be here for your classmates presentations. Each missed class during the presentation period will result in your individual presentation score being lowered a letter grade.

Drop Policy: See university drop policy in the university catalog.

Americans With Disabilities Act:

The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 - The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty of their need for accommodation and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations can be found at Also, you may visit the Office for Students with Disabilities in room 102 of University Hall or call them at (817) 272-3364.

Academic Integrity:

Academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.
"Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Series 50101, Section 2.2)

Student Support Services Available:
The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-3684 for more information and appropriate referrals.

E-Culture Policy:

The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University email address as an official means of communication with students. Through the use of email, UT-Arlington is able to provide students with relevant and timely information, designed to facilitate student success. In particular, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation may be sent to students through email.

All students are assigned an email account and information about activating and using it is available at New students (first semester at UTA) are able to activate their email account 24 hours after registering for courses. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active as long as a student is enrolled at UT-Arlington. Students are responsible for checking their email regularly.

Course Topics List and Reading Assignments:

1. Introduction to the Sociological Perspective on Work

-What is work and why is it important to the individual and society

-Key Transformations in the Nature of Work

-Sociological Theory and Work

-A History of Work

-How Sociologists Study the World of Work

Reading: Chapters 1 and 2

2. The Personal Context of Work

-Meaningful Work

-Class, Race and Gender in the Workplace

-Work and Family

-Unions as Collective Responses to Work

Reading: Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6

3. Industries and Technologies

-Industrial Sectors

-Technology and the Social Organization of Work

-The High Technology Revolution

Reading: Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10

4. Occupations and Professions

-Professions

-Managers

-Administrative Support and Sales

-Marginal Jobs

Reading: Chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14

5. Contemporary Workplace Trends/Issues

-The Corporation

-Globalization and Multinationals

Reading: Chapters 15 and 16

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