325-334 Current Trends in Work and Employment

This subject will examine the main theoretical, empirical and policy issues associated with the restructuring of work and employment in contemporary industrialised societies. Topics will include theories of work and employment restructuring; the impact of information technology on employment; the rise of the 'service economy' and part-time work; precarious forms of employment, including casual work, homeworking, and teleworking; the intensification of work; the decline of the 'male breadwinner' model of employment and household; women's employment patterns and preferences; the implications of work restructuring for employment regulation and income distribution; labour market institutions and economic performance; flexibility and deregulation; and skill formation and training provision.

• High level of development: written communication; collaborative learning; problem solving; application of theory to practice; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

• Moderate level of development: oral communication; interpretation and analysis; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.

• Some level of development: team work; use of computer software.

A 2-hour examination (60%) and assignment(s) totalling not more than 4000 words (40%).