Labor and Employment Studies

College of Business

Dean: Linda Oubre

Labor and Employment Studies Program

HSS 336
Phone: 415-405-3475
Director: John Logan

Faculty

Associate Professor: Logan

Programs

B.A. in Labor and Employment Studies

Minor in Labor and Employment Studies

Program Scope

The Labor and Employment Studies program provides students with an introduction to and understanding of the study of labor and employment relations, broadly defined. Over the past few decades, the study of labor and employment relations has expanded significantly to include new topics that did not previously exist as areas of academic inquiry: globalization and employment relations, international labor standards, human rights and labor standards, corporate social responsibility and corporate codes of conduct, monitoring and accountability frameworks, global supply and value chains, corporate governance and employment relations, “decent work,” equality and diversity at work, labor and “global cities,” employment relations in emerging economies, high performance work systems, global corporations and global unions. These topics form the basis of the courses that make up the requirements for the major and minor.

Career Outlook

The major and minor in labor and employment studies provides training for students interested in careers in labor relations or personnel management with unionized private-sector firms or local and state government organizations. Graduates may also be prepared to work for unions, labor or social justice-related NGOs, or other non-profit organizations. Students may gain employment in these areas with local, state, national or international organizations. In the non-union private sector, graduates may work in areas related to corporate social responsibility, codes of conduct, and corporate governance. Finally, students may pursue professional degrees (for example, in public policy, labor and employment law, or MBAs) or graduate degrees in the social sciences.

Complementary Studies

Bachelor of Arts students must complete at least twelve units of complementary studies outside of the primary prefix for the major. (Note: Students may not use an alternate prefix that is cross-listed with the primary prefix for the major.) Students who complete two majors or a major and a minor automatically complete the complementary studies requirement. Additional ways to complete complementary studies for students in the Labor and Employment Studies major can count the twelve complementary studies units toward elective units in the major. Consult with your major advisor for assistance.

Bachelor of Arts in Labor and Employment Studies