Course of Study 

The curriculum in Labor Studies combines a core sequence of courses with an opportunity to develop a specialization within a particular social science discipline. The Labor Studies major consists of 36 credits: 18 credits in a core sequence, 9 in a specialization, and 9 in approved electives.

Core Sequence 

Courses in the core sequence provide a foundation for all Labor Studies students. These courses are aimed at providing students with an understanding of the history of the labor movement; the impact of technology on labor and industry; changes in the labor process; labor relations and their economic context; shifts in the composition of the labor force; the social and political role of labor unions; the legal framework of labor-management relation, and the theoretical and ethical issues related to work, the workplace, and labor relations.

Core Courses (required of all majors) 

o Labor Studies 101. Introduction to Labor Studies
o Economics 101. Introductory Economics (Macroeconomics)
o Labor Studies 240. Labor Unions and Industrial Relations
o History 274. American Labor History from World War I to the Present
o Labor Studies 320. Perspectives on the Labor Movement
o plus one other Labor Studies course.

In addition to the required core sequence, Labor Studies majors complete 9 credits within a specialization. There are three specialization tracks to choose from: economics, sociology, and urban studies. Each track provides students with an opportunity to develop their analytical skills from the perspective of a specific academic discipline. The specialization tracks offer an introduction to the discipline, a background in quantitative analysis, and an opportunity to study an aspect of labor within the particular discipline.

Students complete their Labor Studies major by selecting three labor-related courses from a list of approved electives.

Specialization Tracks 

Students take either Track A, Track B, or Track C.

Track A - Economics

o Economics 102. Introductory Economics (Microeconomics)
o Economics 249. Statistics as Applied to Economics
and one of the following:
o Economics 213. Economics of the Labor Force
or
o Economics 214. Economics of Organized Labor

Track B - Sociology

o Sociology 101. General Introduction to Sociology
o Sociology 205. Social Statistics I
and one of the following:
o Sociology 228. Industrial Sociology
or
o Sociology 224. Organizational Sociology

Track C - Urban Studies

o Urban Studies 101. Urban Issues: Poverty and Affluence
o Urban Studies 200. Methods in Urban Research
and one of the following:
o Urban Studies 102. Urban Issues: Services and Institutions
o Urban Studies 105. Socioeconomic and Political Power in the City
o Urban Studies 202. Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Urban America
o Urban Studies 210. Urban Protest Movements

Electives 

Students complete 9 credits from the following courses:

o History 273. American Labor History to World War I
o History 275. Business in American Life
o Psychology 226. Psychology in Business and Industry
o Political Science 225. Politics and Administration of Industrial Regulation
o Economics 240. Economics of Business Organization

and one of the following:

o Sociology 219. Class, Power, and Inequality
o Economics 219. Economics of Class, Race, and Sex
o Urban Studies 101. Urban Issues: Poverty and Affluence
o Political Science 222. Power in America

Students may also fulfill the elective requirement by completing certain courses in the alternate specialization track, e.g., Economics 213, 214, Sociology 224, 228, if not taken to fulfill core requirements.

          

Copyright 2006 Labor Studies Program Queens College.