Workers, Consumers and the Global Economy

Sociology 410 - Spring 2001 (35481)
University of Oregon
TUES. & THURS. 9:30-10:50 am, 248 GER
Professor Michael Dreiling, 740 PLC
Phone: 346-5025; Email: dreiling@darkwing.uoregon.edu
Office Hours: Mon. 1-2; Tues. & Thurs. 11-12

In this class we will trace the historical and sociological roots of the ‘commodity’ and it’s intersection in the lives of workers and consumers in the global economy.  From the American Revolution to contemporary anti-sweatshop campaigns, we will explore how and why consumer products emerge as contentious objects and symbols especially in the context of international economic relations. On the contemporary scene, from sweatshops and plantations to the hidden messages of consumerism, we will explore and unveil the mysteries of international commodity production. Boycotts, protests and anti-commercial messages that target familiar corporate brand names such as Disney, Starbucks and the Gap will be studied with an eye to the question of, ‘how do humans use the power of consumers to advance global worker rights?’ More generally, how do people, amid the barrage of consumer messages that mystify products, develop the political tools to unveil an otherwise invisible realm of commodity production?  We will assess the role of unions, workers, consumers and students in these actions.  A general overview of international political economy of the late 20th century will be covered as well.


Texts:
For Graduate Students:
  • Tabb, William. 2001. The Amoral Elephant: Globalization and the Struggle for Social Justice in the Twenty-First Century. Monthly Review: NY.

Expectations and Evaluations:
My intention is to create an environment where all seminar participants take an active part in the evolution of our class consciousness. For the first half of the term I will guide the course with a mix of lecture, discussion and a couple of films.  After about week five, I will continue with a 'mini-lecture' by yours truly. I will continue to use this time to highlight some issues, raise theoretical problems, bridge the course materials and raise questions for our discussion. After my mini-lectures (and the discussions that flow from them) I would like you all to take over. I would like to see this happen in small groups (that you all form) where you present a summary/ interpretation of the course material for the day and then lead a discussion.  I would also like to see your group select a relevant outside reading that highlights the theme of your presentation. We will discuss the details of this proposal in class. I hope that these group presentations will facilitate a safe and open context for covering the readings and participating in discussion.
 
I would like everyone to participate in the course in a fair and equitable manner. I would also like some reasonable basis for accountability toward those goals. As an instructor, this is often a challenge to achieve in the context of a domination structure.  Ideally, we will cultivate an environment where I treat all of you with the fairness and equity that I like to receive (even within the context of a domination structure). And, I would like this to happen freely.  Here is a proposal that I think will provide you the opportunity to participate equitably in the class with considerable autonomy and enable me to fairly and equitably review your contribution to this class (and fill out that bubble with a grade so you get the credit that you likely want).
If you find that this does not meet your needs for this class and would like your grade to reflect some other course-related work, please plan to present your strategy to me, paying attention to my need for equality and accountability.


Course Outline: April 3-June 7

I)  THE QUESTION AND CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

April 3-10

A) Where Work and Consumption Meet in Social Life and Why it Matters
April 3

B) The Mystery of the Commodity: Human Labor, Exchange and the Search for Meaning in Objects

April 5-10
II)  HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL CONTEXT
A) Shrouds of Race and Nation: Class and the Politics of Consumption in American History
April 12-26

 

B) The Social Location of Production and Consumption: Sweatshops, Consumer Culture and the Global Economy

May 1-10  (May 10 Labor in the Global Economy Conference – class will be held there).

C) Gendered Production/ ized Consumption

May 15-17

III)  ACTION

May 22-June 7

A) Lifting the Veil: Exposing the Consequences of Existing Strategies of Production and Consumption

B) Alternative Strategies for Meeting Human Needs

FINAL EXAMINATION DATE

8:00 am Tues. June 12

This page was created on April 12, 2001.
Copyright © Michael Dreiling, 2001. All rights reserved.