Module Directory

This module explores the sociological dynamics of workplace life and its broader connections to society and political economy. It examines how work is shaped by social structures, power relations, and cultural norms, and how current transformations in work reflect broader economic, technological, and political changes. Students will critically analyse key sociological theories and debates on labour, organisational structures, workplace cultures, and employment relations in contemporary societies.

Drawing on theoretical perspectives from sociology, social theory, philosophy, and politics, this module will examine the evolution of work practices at an advanced undergraduate level and ensure that all participants possess a robust understanding of why work and its organisation is a crucial field of study within the social sciences. This module will help prepare students for the realities of contemporary work and management by examining a range of organisational developments and focusing on the broader sociological context in which these workplace and organisational challenges are arising.

The aims of this module are:

• To expose students to sociological approaches to understanding work, employment and its organisation.


• To enable students to locate current ways of working and their organisation within their historical and sociological context.


• To introduce students to, and enable them to critically evaluate, contemporary debates within the field, including around the impact of technology, affective labour, precarity, algorithmic control and global inequalities and sustainability.


• To provide students with an understanding and critical appreciation of the socio-economic, technological and political drivers of contemporary workplace change and its organisation.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of sociological theories related to work and employment.


2. Locate current ways of working and their organisation within their historical and sociological context.


3. Critically evaluate contemporary debates within the field, including around the impact of technology, affective labour, precarity, algorithmic control and global inequalities and sustainability.

Transferable Skills for Professional Life:

• A1 Synthesis and bringing together concepts and ideas.


• A2 Critical thinking.


• A3 Evaluation of evidence.


• A5 Recognise rival conceptual ideas.


• D4 Analysing Academic Literature.


• C5 Argumentation / Essay writing skills.


• M1 Understand and work with social media and media analytical tools, including social marketing skills.

Syllabus Information

The module will cover a range of substantive, conceptual and methodological issues broadly organised around the following sessions:

• Classical and contemporary sociological theories of work.


• The evolution of work: from putting out to flexible accumulation.


• Industry 4.0 and AI: The new industrial revolution.


• Class, work and the labour process.


• Service work, affect and aesthetic labour.


• Recalcitrance, misbehaviour, and worker agency.


• Precarious work and algorithmic control: platforms and the gig economy.


• Creative work and retheorising precarity.


• Environment, precarity and the global south.


• Struggles for recognition in work and employment.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 1-hour lecture per week
• One 1-hour seminar per week (number of seminars dependent on student numbers)

Students are expected to undertake the reading before seminars and be prepared to engage in discussion and answer set questions.