Pol S 249/HSTCMP 249/Soc 266:

Introduction to Labor Studies

Josh Sturman

Smith 37

Office Hours: TBD

Winter 2026

Description

Labor studies is an interdisciplinary and intersectional field that explores the history, ideas, and politics of working people, broadly conceived. This class introduces participants to Labor Studies by asking questions including “why do we work?”, “what are the conditions we work in?”, and “how has work changed over time?” To answer these questions, participants will discuss how and why work is performed, organized and divided across time and space; within different countries and industries; and along lines of race, gender and other forms of power. Participants will further consider how labor occurs under many conditions - at home and in the workplace, waged and unwaged, organized and unorganized, slave and free. And participants will discuss the history and politics of labor movements - including but not limited to labor unions - and how such movements have fought against oppression and hierarchy based on race, gender, citizenship status, nationality, ability and more. Finally, participants will receive introductory instruction in the tactics labor organizers use in order to get a feel for how such organization takes place.

General Course Requirements

1. Attend lectures and participate in class

Active participation in class discussions is not mandatory but it will significantly improve your ability to understand and engage with the works we read. Participation will contribute to your discussion section’s participation grade.

2. Read the assigned materials before lecture

Students are expected to read the assigned text before lecture.

3. Attend and participate in weekly discussion sections

Because this is a large introductory course, quiz sections provide the best opportunity to engage with your peers and discuss the course material. In order to make this experience rewarding for everyone involved, full and thoughtful participation is necessary. Your participation grade will be composed of attendance and active participation in discussion sections. If you cannot make it to a particular section, please discuss the matter with your TA beforehand in order to figure out a way of making up participation points.

4. Attend office hours

If you feel uncomfortable speaking in quiz section, you might want to attend office hours on a more regular basis. In general, and regardless of your level of class participation, participants are highly encouraged to attend office hours to discuss the class, readings, your interests, or just to check in. Both your TAs and I hold regular office hours. Try to make them a habit.

Other Policies

Email Availability

I aim to respond to all emails within 24-48 hours, except on weekends or holidays. When emailing, keep in mind that in-person meetings are generally preferable for more in-depth discussion of a topic. The instruction team may not be able to provide extensive comments over email and topics that may require such comments are preferably discussed in office hours.

Plagiarism

Cases of suspected cheating and plagiarism will be referred to the Arts and Sciences Committee on Academic conduct. University policies and guidelines regarding cheating and plagiarism can be found at: http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm#misconduct

All cheating will result in a 0 on the assignment.

Artificial Intelligence

Any and all use of “artificial intelligence” (AI) is prohibited in this course and will be considered plagiarism. This prohibition includes but is not limited to submitting all or any part of an assignment prompt to an AI platform; incorporating any part of an AI generated response into an assignment; using AI to brainstorm, formulate arguments, or template ideas for assignments; using AI to summarize or contextualize source materials; and submitting your own work for this class to an online learning support platform for proofreading or improvement.

Late Policy

Extension requests will require appropriate documentation. If you need to turn work in late, please give prior notice to your TA. Unexpected lateness on the midterm papers will result in a 3-point drop in the assignments’ final grade for each day late. Late work will not be accepted more than one week after the submission deadline without prior authorization.

Proofreading

The teaching team is not able to proofread papers. We are able to discuss paper contents, structure and organization, and similar subjects. If you need help with the technical aspects of writing, you are strongly encouraged to visit the Odegaard Writing and Research Center and/or the Political Science Writing Center.

Social Media Policy

The instructor and TAs will not make any posts about you on social media. We request that you do the same so that we can speak freely and learn together.

Recording Policy

Only students with the appropriate DRS accommodations are authorized to use recording devices in section. Unauthorized student recording of classroom or other academic activities (including advising sessions and office hours) is prohibited. Unauthorized recording is unethical and may also be a violation of university policy and/or state law. Students requesting the use of assistive technology or recording as an accommodation should contact Disability Resources.

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request academic accommodation due to a disability, please contact UW Disability Resources for Students (DRS) at uwdrs@uw.edu. Please present to your TA or instructor any letter you might have received from DRS confirming the need for academic accommodations, so that we can arrange accommodations.

Religious Accommodations

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).

Respect for Diversity

My intent is that students from all backgrounds will be well served by this course, that students’ learning needs will be addressed both in and out of class, and that the diversity students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength, and benefit. It is my intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity including but not limited to gender, sexual, disability, age, socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity. Your suggestions for making this class as welcoming as possible for all are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know how to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students.

Assignments and Grading

*Must be drafted in the same Google Doc from beginning to end. Drafting includes all notes, outlines, and drafts. The link to the Google Doc must be included at the end of the paper or posted as a comment on the Canvas submission page. Papers that are not written in Google Docs will not be accepted.

Schedule