SOSC 111-002 (36883): Ethnographic Methods of Work

(linked with English 203/Composition II, taught by Rachel Lipscomb)

Instructor: Angela Dunne

Email: [email protected]

Location: Room 508

Days/Times: M/W 9:45 am-11:15 am (Course Number: 21081)

                      M/W 11:30 am-1:00 pm (Course Number: 21084)

                     M/W 1:15 pm-2:45 pm (Course Number:21083)

Course Overview

Ethnographies of Work is a critical exploration of ethnographic methods (research design, observation, mapping and interview) and the world of work.

Catalog Description

Ethnographies of Work introduces students to sociological and anthropological perspectives on work as they investigate a range of careers. The course approaches work as a cultural system invested with meanings, norms, values, customs, behavioral expectations, and social hierarchies. Students pose key questions through the lens of ethnography in order to investigate workplaces, occupations, and career pathways in an urban context. Guided by the ethnographer’s assumption that there’s “always more than meets the eye,” students are encouraged to uncover myths and stereotypes about the work world and gain appreciation of how and why work matters to individuals in a range of occupations. Students explore dimensions of work life in the context of contemporary dynamics of disruption, uncertainty, innovation, and diversity, and draw connections between the self and work through readings, films, interviews, and fieldwork. The centerpiece of the course is for students to compose and present ethnographic accounts of workplace relations and vocational pathways as they contemplate their own career journeys. Ethnographies of Work I satisfies three credits in the Individual & Society area of the CUNY Flexible Core.

This course includes an Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELO) with the goal of a more transformational and engaged learning experience. ELOs value personal connection to deep applied learning, reflection, and analysis. ELOs help build core skills for long-term academic and career success.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Identify and apply fundamental social science concepts and methods to explore the relationships between the individual and the world of work.

2. Begin to use a range of ethnographic tools such as autoethnography, interviewing, observation, and fieldnotes to capture the world of work through writing, mapping, and audio-visual means.

3. Begin to analyze and evaluate ethnographic texts and data about work through the lens of social science perspectives and concepts.

4. Examine how an individual’s place in society affects experiences, values, options, and choices, identifying how one’s own life story promotes and constrains career access and career decisions.

5. Articulate and apply responsible research design practices, taking into consideration the ethical questions that surround real-world social science research.

Required Texts

Ethnographies Made Easy

• There is no textbook purchase required for this course. All readings are available through Open Educational Resources (OER) or through hyperlink.

College-Wide Policies

Policy on Academic Honesty

Guttman Community College considers intellectual honesty the cornerstone of all academic work.  GCC views any form of academic dishonesty as a serious matter and requires all instructors to report every case of academic dishonesty to its Academic Integrity Officer, who keeps records of all cases.  All work submitted or posted by students in this course must be their own. Submitting writing or ideas that are not the student’s original work or adequately referenced is considered plagiarism. Unintentional plagiarism is still plagiarism, so if you have any questions about whether or not to acknowledge a source, acknowledge it.  And if you are still uncertain, be sure to ask. Refer to Article II of your Student Grievance Procedures for further details on academic honesty and Guttman’s academic integrity procedures, at [Academic Policies] Penalties for academic dishonesty include academic sanctions, such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.

Disability Support Services

In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Guttman Community College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/ or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY to secure necessary academic accommodations and adjustments for additional information and assistance please call 646-313-8833 or email [email protected].

Critical Incident Management

Guttman expects students to respect the rights, privileges and property of other people. Faculty are required to report disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment or inhibits students’ ability to learn.

Viewpoint Tolerance

Some of the issues covered during the seminar may evoke strong emotions.   Students, faculty, and staff must be able to respectfully disagree with others on topics that are personally important to them.  Civility is essential to all scholarly discourse.