Sociology 243: Sociology 243: OccupationsOccupationsFall 2007Fall 2007

Professor: Dr. J. AuriniWeek 1: Sept 12

Overview: Overview: IntroductionsCourse Outline

◦Key Concepts◦Ground Rules◦Questions, Clarification

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‘‘Work’ vs. ‘Occupations’Work’ vs. ‘Occupations’

◦Work – paid and unpaid◦Occupations - a collection of jobs or

types of work sharing similar skills and responsibilities Management occupations Business, finance and administrative occupations National and applied sciences and related occupations Health occupations Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion Sales and service occupations Trades, transport, and equipment operators and related occupations. Occupations unique to primary industry Occupations unique to processes, manufacturing and utilities

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Our Mission:Our Mission:

To examine the connections between the organization of work and:

Broader social change◦ i.e., labour markets trends

Social inequality and opportunity◦ i.e., wages, mobility

How people experience workStatus/identity formation lifestyle and

health

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Course Outline:Course Outline:Part 1:

◦Sociological Approaches Part 2:

◦Organizations The institutions where work takes place How informal (i.e. culture) and formal

(i.e. promotion practices) structure shape the experience of work

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Course Outline:Course Outline:

Part 3: Inequalities and Opportunities◦Opportunity and reward structures

Occupation trends – between and within sectors

Canadian Trends (Saez and Veall, 2005): 1980: Top 1 % of earners = 7.5% of all income 2000: Top 1% of earners = 13% of all income

‘Winner-take-all’ vs. ‘Flatter’ labour markets

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Statistics Canada: Employment and Hourly Statistics Canada: Employment and Hourly Wages by Occupation Sector (2006)Wages by Occupation Sector (2006)

Occupation Sector # of employees1

(thousands) % $ wage/hr

Management occupations 1,021.50 10.7% 31.98

Business, finance and administrative 2,771.30 18.0 18.56

Natural and applied sciences 1,027.20 6.5 27.18

Health occupations 873 5.4 23.03

Social science, education, government service and religion 1,271.50 7.9 25.36

Art, culture, recreation & sport 329.1 2.8 19.36

Sales and service occupations 3,574.00 23.4 12.96

Trades, transport and equipment operators 2,133.50 14.4 19.35

(Not a complete listing)

Source: http://www40.statcan.ca/cbin/fl/cstprintflag.cgi

Course Outline:Course Outline:

Part 3: Inequalities and Opportunities◦Opportunity and reward structures

Occupation trends – between and within sectors

Canadian Trends (Saez and Veall, 2005): 1980: Top 1 % of earners = 7.5% of all income 2000: Top 1% of earners = 13% of all income

‘Winner-take-all’ vs. ‘Flatter’ labour markets

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Brilliant CEO or Lucky Brilliant CEO or Lucky Break? Break?

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Course Outline:Course Outline:

Part 3: Inequalities and Opportunities◦Opportunity and reward structures

Gatekeeping ‘workhorses’ (i.e., credentials) Homophily: Having 1 or more common

attribute Characteristics: gender, ethnicity Norms/values: religion, animal rights etc. Structural location: geography (i.e. neighbours),

positional (i.e., middle managers, Soc 243 students)

Relative numbers: How social composition impacts relationships and opportunities

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Course Outline:Course Outline:

Part 3: Inequalities and Opportunities◦Opportunity and reward structures

Professions and managers/white collar work Relationship between gatekeepers/gate keeping

mechanisms and rewards Occupational status and its connection to:

Inequality Identity formation, self-worth Culture and lifestyle Health Politics

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Course Outline:Course Outline:Part 4: Emerging Trends and

Challenges◦How/why occupations are changing consequences to opportunity/inequality

Part 5: Policy at the high and low ends◦Connect to formal/informal structure

of work

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Required Readings Required Readings Required Readings

◦Adams and Welsh◦CW◦2 e-resources (on Angel)◦Either: Newman or Hochschild

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Assessment: Assessment: Assessment

◦Assignment 1: Data Collection and Interpretation

◦Assignment 2: Read and analyze book

◦Midterm Quiz: Multiple choice ◦Final Exam: Mix of multiple choice,

short and long essay

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Ground RulesGround Rules Official Documentation:

◦…that is, not from your mom.Classroom etiquette:

◦Cell phones, text messaging, msn, solitaire, talking, reading newspapers etc…

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Office Hours and Contact Information: Office Hours and Contact Information:

Instructor: Dr. AuriniWeekly: Wed: 12-1, PAS 2051 (or by

appt)E: jaurini@uwaterloo.ca

TA: Kelly BarrieWeek 3, 7, 11 and one more before final

exam (and by appt.) Wed: E: kbarrie@uwaterloo.ca

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