Introduction to Labour Markets

University of KwaZulu- Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban
Industrial Organisational and Labour Studies
Introduction to Labour Markets 2A (i) 2008

Lecturer: Shaun Ruggunan

This is an 8 credit, 7 week module that runs from 11th February to the 4th April. The module is interrupted by the Easter vacation which runs from the 20 March to 30 March. The module resumes on the 31 March. Introduction to Labour markets is a compulsory second year module required by students intending to major in IOLS or do the IOLS programme. It may be taken as an elective by second level students outside IOLS. The module has 4 compulsory tutorials, and 28 compulsory lectures. You will be provided with a reader. The lecturer for the module is Mr. Shaun Ruggunan. I have an office in the IOLS corridor. Please make sure that in the first week of lectures that you know where the IOLS department is, where the IOLS notice board is located and most importantly where the assignment boxes are located.

Lecturer Contact Details:

Telephone: 031-2602531 or 031-2601097

Email: ruggunans@ukzn.ac.za

Website: www.iols.ukzn.ac.za

Student Times: In my office in the IOLS corridor

Monday	12 noon – 1:00pm	Feel free to email me to set up an alternate time if you cannot make these times.
Wednesday	09:00 – 10:00am

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Lecture Time Table

Day	Period	Lecture / Tutorial	Venue
Monday	2 – 3 4 – 5 8 – 9	Tutorial	Sh15, Sh17, Sh19, Sh7 Sh14, Sh15, Sh16, Sh17 Sh11, Sh13, Sh15, Sh16
No Tuesday Lecture	No Tuesday Lecture	No Tuesday Lecture	No Tuesday Lecture
Wednesday	6	Lecture	L3
Thursday	3 – 4	Lecture	L3
Friday	3	Lecture	L3

Aims of the module

The purpose of the module is to introduce students to the conceptual issues relating to the sociology of labour markets. Understanding labour market theory and being able to apply theoretical concepts to empirical case studies of labour markets is a core requirement of IOLS students and we hope that this module provides you with some of the skills you need to succeed as an IOLS major or programme student. In IOLS (and for this module) we are more interested in the sociology of labour markets as opposed to labour market economics. We will try and sue our limited time to make you familiar with sociological concepts and language used to theorise labour markets under capitalism. However because this is a second year 8 credit module this will only be done at an introductory level.

What will I learn from the module?

There are 5 main outcomes that you should be able to demonstrate at the end of the module. Depending on how we manage our time, we will try and complete all 6 outcomes. These are:

• Demonstrate a sociological conception of labour markets and differentiate this from an economistic conception of labour markets.
• Provide a chronology of the evolution of labour market theory in sociology.
• List and discuss the key features of labour markets under contemporary capitalism.
• Discuss the influence of race, class and gender on the status and identity of workers in contemporary labour markets.
• Apply theoretical knowledge of labour markets to a range of empirical case studies. 

Module Themes
Theme One: Labour Markets and sociology
(13 February-15 February) 

The aim of this theme is to introduce students to basic definitions of labour markets. The focus here is on problems of definition. You are introduced to the idea that definitions can be contested and conflicted and have very real impacts when it comes to making larger decisions about labour market policy

Key Readings:

Fevre, R. 2003 The Sociology of Labour Markets, Cardiff: Cardiff University. (Chapter One)

Standing, G. 1999 Global Labour Flexibility: Seeking Distributive Justice London: MacMillan Press.

(Chapter One)

Tilly, C., & Tilly, C 1998 Work Under Capitalism, Colorado: Westview Press.(Chapter One)

Theme Two: Theorising labour markets
(20th February-29 February)

The focus of this theme is to help provide a chronology of the key thinking about labour markets by both economists and sociologists. I present Classical and neo-classical accounts of labour markets. This is then followed by more sociological accounts of labour markets. The contribution and controversies of these approaches are then discussed. The theme ends by providing a critique of the classical and overly economist theorisations of labour markets. It suggests sociological conceptions of labour markets are far richer and nuanced than purely economist ones. In the end learners must decide for themselves which schools of thought provide the most rigorous arguments.

Key Readings

Barker, F. 2003 The South African Labour Market, Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers

Fevre, R. 2003 The Sociology of Labour Markets, Cardiff: Cardiff University. (Chapter Two and Six)

Tilly, C., & Tilly, C 1998 Work Under Capitalism, Colorado: Westview Press.

(Chapter One and Two)

Recommended Reading:

Mohr, P & Fourie, L. 2004 Economics for South African Students, Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers

Theme Three: Features of labour markets under contemporary capitalism.
(5 March- 14 March)

Having provided an introduction and discussion of the various ways in which labour markets can be theorised, this theme focuses on more empirical issues of workers in actual workplaces and labour markets. The theme examines the nature of labour markets under contemporary capitalism. We ascertain what the key features are of national (South African) and global labour markets. We also discuss the differences between rigid and flexible labour markets as well as formal and informal labour markets.

Key Readings:

Barker, F. 2003 The South African Labour Market, Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers (Chapter One and Seven)

Knox, J., Agnew,J & McCarthy,L 2003 The Geography of the World Economy, 4th Edition, London: Hodder Arnold. (Chapters One, Three, Six and Seven)

Tilly, C., & Tilly, C 1998 Work Under Capitalism, Colorado: Westview Press.

(You will be referred to chapters in class)

Theme Four: People and labour markets
(19 March -4 April)

This theme goes on to explore the relationships between society and labour markets. This includes issues such as unemployment, job hunting, underemployment and exploitation of workers. The bulk of this theme focuses on workers identities and how these identities dertimed workers status and mobility in labour markets. We examine issues of race, class, gender and age as mediators of labour markets. This may be done through various empirical case studies and guest speakers.

Key Readings

Ehrenreich, B 2001 Nickel and Dimed: On Not getting by in America, New York: Owl Books ( Introduction and Chapter One)

Feinstein, C 2005 An Economic History of South Africa: Conquest, Discrimination and Development, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (Chapter Three)

Fevre, R. 2003 The Sociology of Labour Markets, Cardiff: Cardiff University. (Chapter Four)

Moleke, P 2006 The State of Labour market racialisation, in State of the Nation 2005-2006, Pretoria: HSRC Press

Shipler, D 2005 The working Poor: Invisible in America. New York: Vintage Books (Chapters One, Two, Three)

Assessments:

The course is assessed through the following methods:

1. Four tutorials: The first tutorial requires you to attend only. If you are not listed as signed on the register you will lose your DP. The remaining three tutorials will require written submissions. Each tutorial is worth 10% for a total of 30%
2. One Class essay: The essay contributes 20% of your mark.
3. Examination: This contributes 50% of your mark. The exam will consist of two sections. Section A is a choice of 2 essays for 100 marks. Section B is a choice of two short questions worth 50 marks each. The examination is 90 minutes. I will discuss this in more detail at the end of the module.

Tutorials. ALL TUTORIALS ARE COMPULSORY!

You will be divided into tutorial groups by IOLS. Please watch the notice board to see which group you are assigned to. If you have not been assigned to a group it is vital that you attend any group and sign the register. Failure to do so will result in the loss of your DP certificate. Tutorials begin on Monday 18 February.

Essay Question:

This will be provided to you in class and we will devote a lecture to it. Please note that before you submit your essay to be marked you have to run it through the University anti plagiarism software, mydropbox.com. This is the subject of your first tutorial where you will be told how to do this.

Please note that the week 31 March to 4 April is an extremely busy one for you as you have to attend a tutorial, submit a tutorial and your essay all in one week. I suggest that you use the vacation to complete the bulk of your work as no extensions will be given without appropriate documentation.

Extension of due dates policy

If you wish to apply for an extension of the due date for assignments please obtain an extension request form from the department administrator, Ms. Amanda Kinners. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances that usually require some form of proof or documentation. Bad planning and time management is not considered a sufficient reason to grant an extension.

Late hand in penalty policy

IOLS applies a penalty of -5 percent for each day that work is handed in late. This goes up to -20% (5 days) after which you obtain 0.

Plagiarism policy:

There is a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism in IOLS. The use of anti plagiarism software mydropbox.com is compulsory for your essay. A number of students have been suspended or expelled by UKZN for plagiarism. Do not put your potential careers and futures in danger by engaging in this plagiarism. If in doubt ask.