The Labor Studies Program is concerned with the world of work, workers, and their organizations. It investigates the cultural, economic, and political forces which provide the environment in which people make a living. It is an inter-disciplinary program which combines broad perspectives with specific skills. The program emphasizes the world of work from the view of the individual in the workplace, the labor market, and as a member of a work group or labor union. The roles of employers, government, and labor unions, as adversaries and cooperators in an increasingly competitive world, are covered.
Courses combine analytical and practical elements, bridging academia with the world of work.
Labor Studies students will be prepared for jobs with local or national labor unions as organizers, representatives, researchers, negotiators, trainers, and administrators. They will also be qualified to work for government agencies such as the National Labor Relations Board, U.S. Department of Labor, California Department of Industrial Relations, Occupational Safety and Health Agencies, etc. There are also opportunities as labor educators in the fifty or so University and College Labor Education Programs throughout the United States, and as labor journalists or labor relations officers in both the private and public sectors. Labor Studies is also a good pre-law program for those interested in labor law. Electives may be substituted for some required courses with approval of the Labor Studies Coordinator.