Women, Work, and Organizations in America

What is it about?

This course examines the world of paid work from the the point of view of women workers. This means that we will be talking about work-oriented issues and trends that shape women experiences in the paid labor force.  We will address questions pertaining women's work, for example:

• What and how have women contributed to building of the U.S. economy?
• What occupations and jobs do women do and why those?
• Why do women still get paid less than men for the same job?
• Where do white, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian women work?
• How do new technologies affect women's jobs and occupations?
• What is the "second shift"?
• How can employers address family care needs?
• What are "glass ceilings" and "sticky floors" and how do they shape women's opportunities at work?
• Is a woman-friendly organizational structure possible?
• How are American women workers connected with women workers around the world in today's global system?
• How do women survive in a male-dominated occupation?

What will classes be like?

Classes will be a mixture of lecture, discussion, group work, films, and guest lectures. We will have women from various occupations and work organizations in the Ogden area as guest speakers on specific issues and themes. For example, we will have women speaking about what it is like to work in a male-dominated occupation, such as building construction, engineering, or law-enforcement. We will also hear from working women with families about their experiences with combining career and family life.

What will we read?

The course readings include 2 books and selected articles on reserve.  The books are:

• Women and Men at Work by Barbara Reskin and Irene Padavic        
• Workplace/Women's Place: An Anthology by Dana Dunn.

These books will be read side-by-side through the semester. The Reskin & Padavic book provides us with a theoretical framework to consider gender differences at work. Dana Dunn's book, on the other hand, is a collection of research articles on women and work and offers illustrations and examples of women's experiences at work. Occasionally we will discuss issues that are not examined in either book, in those cases, we will assign an article and put it on reserve at the Stewart Library.

Who are the instructors?

Both Dr. Wei-Arthus and Dr. Ollilainen teach in the sociology program at Weber State. Dr. Wei-Arthus teaches Sociology of Work and Complex Organization. Her research deals with organizational behavior and authority in Chinese organizations; political, social and cultural issues in China during economic transitional period; and Asian American employees' status and situation in American organizations. Dr. Ollilainen teaches also Sociology of Work and Social Organizations and her current research examines current management practices, self-managing team work, and gender relations in the workplace.  If you have any questions about the course, we would be happy to talk with you. Drop by at the Sociology and Anthropology Department or e-mail us at hweiarthus@weber.edu or mollilainen@weber.edu

I'm a Women's Studies minor, how do I sign up for the course?

The course is cross-listed with Sociology and Women's Studies and Women's Studies minors can get WS credit for it. However, everyone will register under the Sociology course number (soclgy 4990).