Minor in Labor Studies (Interdisciplinary)
Co-Directors: Ed Collom (Sociology); Michael Hillard (Economics), 120 Bedford Street, Portland
Committee: Eagan (History); Savage (Geography-Anthropology)
The minor in labor studies examines many aspects of work and workers but focuses especially on the relationships among individual lives, work, class processes and dynamics, and capitalist development. The minor in labor studies addresses the practical problems of work, workers, and their organizations, as well as broad conceptual and theoretical issues including, but not limited to, the relationships among labor, work, and class; a critical examination of class processes and dynamics; a critical examination of capitalist development; the intersections of class with race, ethnicity, gender, and generation; and historical perspectives on all of these topics.
The minor is an interdisciplinary program drawing on faculty and courses from economics, geography, history, arts and humanities, and sociology. Courses provide substantive knowledge of these disciplines and will help to develop critical thinking and analysis skills, writing and oral communication skills, and social science and historical research methods.
Because nearly every individual and organization deal with employees and work, there is constant demand for graduates with understanding and abilities in this area. Students will be prepared for careers in the private sector, labor unions, social services, and all levels of government.
The minor in labor studies is available to students in any major within the University. Students wishing to pursue the minor must be in good standing with the University and submit a Declaration of Minor form to the USM Registrar. This form is available online at www.usm.maine.edu/reg/forms.htm.
Courses & Requirements
Select five of the following courses (15 credits):
ECO 220 U.S. Economic and Labor History
ECO 322 Economics of Women and Work
ECO 323 U.S. Labor and Employment Relations
GEO 302 Gender, Work, and Space
GEO 303 Economic Geography
HTY 123 United States History Since 1900
HTY 358 Early 20th-Century United States, 1898-1938
HTY 359 The United States Since 1939
HTY 381 Latin America and the United States
HUM 310 French Settlement in the Northeast
HUM 330 International Labor, Literature, and the Arts
SOC 327 Social Movements
SOC 348 Sociology of Work
SOC 358 Sociology of Women’s Work
Of the five courses, one must be “history-centered” (chosen from among the following: ECO 220, ECO 323, HTY 132, HTY 341, HTY 358, HTY 359, HTY 381); one must be “contemporary” (chosen from among the following: ECO 322, GEO 302, GEO 303, SOC 327, SOC 348, SOC 358); one must be “international” (chosen from among the following: GEO 302, GEO 303, HTY 381, SOC 327, SOC 348).
Finally, students can apply no more than six credits from their major toward the minor in labor studies.
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