Sociology of Labour
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a general understanding of the transformation of work and employment patterns in the economies of developed countries, using the comparative method, from a sociological perspective. The course deals with the developments that have taken place in the post-Fordism phase that is in the transition to a service and knowledge economy, paying attention to some crucial aspects. We consider the dimension of markets globalization, the imposition of digital technologies in the way of delivering and intermediate work, the changing structure and composition of employment, the new forms of inequality and segmentation that characterize contemporary labour markets. Finally, we analyse the reforms and labour policies implemented in recent years on the European scenario, considering their impact on social risks and contractual conditions. The objective is to provide a quite in-depth knowledge of the topics covered, also using institutional and international statistical sources, databases and results from the most accredited empirical and theoretical research on the evolution of work and future prospects.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired a good knowledge of the interpretative categories of the sociology of work, of the transformations of labour markets and of the social challenges that have opened up over the last twenty years. A fair knowledge of statistical sources on work and employment (Labour Force Surveys) and of the main research methodologies applied to the study of the labour market. In terms of competences, the expectation is that they have acquired a good familiarity in reading and constructing tables, synoptic tables, graphs (through continuous exercises in the classroom). A quite good critical ability, deriving from the recall during the lessons of the interpretative aspects more than merely descriptive, the policy implications, the open problems, stimulating the discussion in class and the continuous search for pertinent examples. Good communication skills, through the presentation of short reports in class (in PP) on limited assigned topics, articles or case studies; a fairly good synthesis ability, favoured during the lesson by a continuous recall of the salient points of the treated topics and by a final synthesis lesson of the course. Finally, an ability to make interconnections both between different disciplines (in particular labour economics, work organization and management, labour law), and between related issues, elements of continuity and discontinuity with the past.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide students with a general understanding of the transformation of work and employment patterns in the economies of developed countries, using the comparative method, from a sociological perspective. The course deals with the developments that have taken place in the post-Fordism phase that is in the transition to a service and knowledge economy, paying attention to some crucial aspects. We consider the dimension of markets globalization, the imposition of digital technologies in the way of delivering and intermediate work, the changing structure and composition of employment, the new forms of inequality and segmentation that characterize contemporary labour markets. Finally, we analyse the reforms and labour policies implemented in recent years on the European scenario, considering their impact on social risks and contractual conditions. The objective is to provide a quite in-depth knowledge of the topics covered, also using institutional and international statistical sources, databases and results from the most accredited empirical and theoretical research on the evolution of work and future prospects.
Prerequisites for admission
Being a third year course it is assumed that they have acquired basic notions of labor law, labor economics, industrial relations, work organization and human resource management
Teaching methods
In addition to frontal teaching, based on the slides available on Ariel, which fairly faithfully follow the structure and contents of the new version of the Handbook of Sociology of Work adopted, the course includes discussion and continuous interaction with students, examples of country or activity sectors cases ; reading and interpretation of tables, graphs and various statistical sources; short presentations in class on limited in-depth topics.
Teaching Resources
Programme for attending students:
Semenza R. (2022) Manuale di Sociologia del Lavoro, Terza Edizione, UTET Università, Torino
The slides presented during the lessons are also part of the exam program
Programme for non-attending students
Semenza R. (2022) Manuale di Sociologia del Lavoro, Terza Edizione, UTET Università, Torino
Semenza R., Mori A. (2020) Lavoro apolide. Freelance in cerca di riconoscimento, Fondazione Feltrinelli, Milano
Semenza R. (2022) Manuale di Sociologia del Lavoro, Terza Edizione, UTET Università, Torino
The slides presented during the lessons are also part of the exam program
Programme for non-attending students
Semenza R. (2022) Manuale di Sociologia del Lavoro, Terza Edizione, UTET Università, Torino
Semenza R., Mori A. (2020) Lavoro apolide. Freelance in cerca di riconoscimento, Fondazione Feltrinelli, Milano
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course ends with a written exam, consisting of open questions, a request for definitions and the comment of a graph with statistical data and indicators on the labor market at a comparative level.
Expected learning outcomes (nuovo testo da inserire in W4)
At the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired a good knowledge of the interpretative categories of the sociology of work, of the transformations of labour markets and of the social challenges that have opened up over the last twenty years. A fair knowledge of statistical sources on work and employment (Labour Force Surveys) and of the main research methodologies applied to the study of the labour market. In terms of competences, the expectation is that they have acquired a good familiarity in reading and constructing tables, synoptic tables, graphs (through continuous exercises in the classroom). A quite good critical ability, deriving from the recall during the lessons of the interpretative aspects more than merely descriptive, the policy implications, the open problems, stimulating the discussion in class and the continuous search for pertinent examples. Good communication skills, through the presentation of short reports in class (in PP) on limited assigned topics, articles or case studies; a fairly good synthesis ability, favoured during the lesson by a continuous recall of the salient points of the treated topics and by a final synthesis lesson of the course. Finally, an ability to make interconnections both between different disciplines (in particular labour economics, work organization and management, labour law), and between related issues, elements of continuity and discontinuity with the past .
Expected learning outcomes (nuovo testo da inserire in W4)
At the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired a good knowledge of the interpretative categories of the sociology of work, of the transformations of labour markets and of the social challenges that have opened up over the last twenty years. A fair knowledge of statistical sources on work and employment (Labour Force Surveys) and of the main research methodologies applied to the study of the labour market. In terms of competences, the expectation is that they have acquired a good familiarity in reading and constructing tables, synoptic tables, graphs (through continuous exercises in the classroom). A quite good critical ability, deriving from the recall during the lessons of the interpretative aspects more than merely descriptive, the policy implications, the open problems, stimulating the discussion in class and the continuous search for pertinent examples. Good communication skills, through the presentation of short reports in class (in PP) on limited assigned topics, articles or case studies; a fairly good synthesis ability, favoured during the lesson by a continuous recall of the salient points of the treated topics and by a final synthesis lesson of the course. Finally, an ability to make interconnections both between different disciplines (in particular labour economics, work organization and management, labour law), and between related issues, elements of continuity and discontinuity with the past .
SPS/09 - ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Semenza Renata
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Semenza RenataEducational website(s)
Professor(s)