S. Labor, Inequality, and Multiracial Democracy

Course Information

Course Number
L8425
Curriculum Level
Upperclass
Areas of Study
Administrative Law and Public Policy, Racial, Economic, and Social Justice
Type
Seminar
Additional Attributes
Tutorial Seminar, New Course

Section 001 Information

Instructor

Professor Kate Andrias smiling Kate Andrias Patricia D. and R. Paul Yetter Professor of Law

Section Description

A central issue of our time is the strength of democracy in an era of mounting threats of authoritarianism, rising inequality, and deep insecurity and precarity for working people. This seminar will probe the relationship between labor, inequality, and an inclusive, multiracial democracy from a variety of perspectives in law, political science, sociology, history, and economics. Our discussions will address questions as varied as: Can political democracy thrive when people spend the bulk of their time in workplaces that are autocratic? What is the connection between workplace democracy and political democracy? How have global trade, outsourcing, contracting, on-call and contingent employment arrangements, monopolistic business practices, and technology shaped labor markets while contributing to rising inequality and an erosion of democracy? How does racial and gender stratification in labor markets interact with ethnonationalism and growing threats of authoritarianism—and what role does labor organizing play in countering ethnonationalism and authoritarianism? How can labor law be reformed to achieve greater workplace, economic, and political democracy and what are new hooks and opportunities for labor organizing? During several sessions we will be joined by policy makers and labor organizers or by academics who will present works-in-progress for discussion.

Please submit a short (approx. 250 word) statement explaining why you are interested in the course and/or describing any relevant past experience or future plans by November 9 at this link: https://forms.gle/JL2zX8kcSeeGauVs5 . If you wish, you can also attach your CV or resume.

School Year & Semester
Spring 2024
Location
WJWH 416
Schedule
Class meets on
  • Tuesday
4:20 pm - 6:10 pm
Points
3
Method of Evaluation
Paper
J.D Writing Credit?
Minor (automatic)
Major (only upon consultation)

Learning Outcomes

Primary
  • At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in a specific body of law, including major policy concerns
  • At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in the historical development of law and legal institutions
  • At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in use of other disciplines in the analysis of legal problems and institutions, e.g., philosophy; economics,other social sciences; and cultural studies
  • At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in academic research and writing.
  • At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in legal research and writing.

Course Limitations

Instructor Pre-requisites
None
Instructor Co-Requisites
None
Requires Permission
Yes
Recommended Courses
None
Other Limitations
Permission only