- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
„Precariat” and the transformation of the class structure of society 3502-TABS-11-OG
The seminar is focused on the issue of labour market uncertainty, a problem which has been widely discussed in recent years (also in Poland) in the context of the increase in the prevalence of the so-called flexible forms of employment, which include, among others: fixed-term employment contracts, civil law contracts, temporary agency employment. The above change was often interpreted by sociologists as a sign of the decay of the career model based on stable full-time employment , offering economic security to employees and their families. Similar concerns were expressed in Guy Standing's reflections on the transformation of the class structure, associated with the emergence of the so-called "precariat". Standing's "precariat" includes low income, fixed-term employees without access to the social benefits system, affected by economic uncertainty and sense of temporariness, as well as deprived of an occupational identity.
Despite common claims of the importance of the problem of lanour market uncertainty and its potentially far-reaching effects, researchers still face difficulties related to the operationalization of this phenomenon. As a result, the problem of the "precariat" or so-called "junk contracts" gives raise to many misunderstanding and confusion. As part of the seminar, we will analyze the theoretical underpinnings, definitions and measures of job insecurity used in the research to answer the question about the extent and social consequences of work precarization.
Our considerations regarding the social consequences of contemporary changes in the sphere of work will be related to social stratification theory. We will discuss to what extent the new labour market inequalities overlap with the „old” class divisions, determined by the position in the occupational structure. It is sometimes claimed, both in scholarly literature and in the public debate, that precarization is increasingly occuring among young, educated workers in professional jobs. In this context, we will consider whether and to what extent education and occupation are losing their importance as a factor improving individuals' labour market chances and a determinant of social position.
Learning outcomes
Is aware of ongoing theoretical and methodological disputes conducted in modern sociology; is reflective and critical of various positions
Is reflective and critical of the problem of social differentiation and inequalities
Has in-depth knowledge about the types of social ties and mechanisms supporting collective governance
Has in-depth knowledge about cultural diversity and its transformations, cultural identity, and intercultural interaction and communication
Has in-depth knowledge about major international and domestic sociological research pertaining to selected areas of social reality or sub-domains of sociology
Has in-depth knowledge of norms and rules governing social structures and institutions
Has in-depth knowledge of assumptions and claims of selected historical and contemporary sociological theories
Approaches the choice of a particular theoretical perspective in a reflective and critical way
Can identify causes and predict potential effects of past and current social events; can form critical judgments about current and past social events
Can critically select information and materials for academic work, using various sources in Polish and a foreign language as well as modern technologies
Can use theoretical categories and research methods in the description and analysis of social and cultural changes in modern societies, as well as their consequences
Knows how to interpret the role of culture in the life of the individual and society
Can relate an academic text to the problems of social life and its empirical studies
Can argue a thesis using scientific evidence
Is open to various theoretical and methodological perspectives of social research
Assessment criteria
Active discussion during class, systematic reading to the assigned literature, written assignments.
Bibliography
The list below is preliminary. It may be revised in line with students preferences according to their interests.
Standing, G. (2014). Prekariat. Nowa niebezpieczna klasa, Warszawa: PWN
Sennett, R. (2006). Korozja charakteru: osobiste konsekwencje pracy w nowym kapitalizmie, Warszawa: Muza
Beck, U. (2002). Społeczeństwo ryzyka: w drodze do innej nowoczesności. Waszawa: Scholar
Goldthorpe, J.H. (2012). O socjologii. Integracja badań i teorii. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo IFiS PAN.
Kalleberg A.E. & Vallas S. (red. 2017) „Precarious work. Research in the Sociology of work vol 31”. Emerald Publishing.
Fevre, R. (2007). Employment insecurity and social theory: the power of nightmares. Work, Employment Society
Nyhagen Predelli, L. & Cebulla, A. (2011). Perceptions of labour market risks: shifts and continuities across generations. Current Sociology, 59 (1), pp. 24 – 41
Crowley M., Tope D., Chamberlain L.J., Hodson R. (2010). Neo-Taylorism at Work: Occupational Change in the Post-Fordist Era. Social Problems 57(3): 421-47.
Mrozowicki A. (2016). Normalisation of Precariousness? Biographical Experiences of Young Workers in the Flexible Forms of Employment in Poland. Przegląd Socjologii Jakościowej.
Gdula M. (2014) Klasa średnia i doświadczenie elastyczności. Polityka Społeczna.
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: