Labor Studies Minor
Work is one of the most universal of human experiences in today’s society. Most of us spend many hours at work, and our experiences in those workplaces share some commonalities and also encompass an incredible range of variety. Many aspects of our lives are influenced by what we do for work – how we spend our time, how much money we have, our lifestyle, and our leisure pursuits are all connected to our occupation. And work is not just an individual experience, but is deeply embedded in our social structure. Our labor market reflects and reproduces many societal inequalities, and at the same time workers united by their identity as workers have created lasting social change through the labor movement. The interdisciplinary minor in Labor Studies is intended to give students an analytic lens on work, something most of us take for granted as part of our everyday lives.
Unique Collaboration
The study of work is inherently interdisciplinary, and students in this program will be asked to reach beyond their own disciplinary boundaries to explore a range of approaches to the subject. In addition, students in the Labor Studies minor program will benefit from a unique collaboration with the Labor Education program at UMass Lowell, which will provide a “real world” connection through service-learning, practicum opportunities, collaborative teaching, and guest speakers.
Please see the UMass Lowell Online Academic Catalog for more information.
Undergraduate Journal on Work, Labor and Social Movements
The UMass Undergraduate Journal on Work, Labor and Social Movements is accepting original submissions from undergraduate students currently enrolled at any University of Massachusetts campus. The journal brings together undergraduate work that displays academic excellence and offers critical insights on the experience of working people and their organizations. The journal encourages submissions that foster an exchange of ideas across disciplines and that deepen our understanding of the ways in which varying axes of oppression, including gender, race/ethnicity, country of origin, language and sexual orientation, shape the lives of workers.
The journal is currently accepting submissions for its fall 2019 issue. The submission deadline for this issue is April 30, 2019. Submissions should be formatted according to the guidelines below and may be emailed to Susan_Winning@uml.edu.
- Submission guidelines (pdf)
Charley Richardson Scholarship
The Charley Richardson Scholarship is available to undergraduates enrolled in or taking courses in the Labor Studies minor. Up to two scholarships totaling $750 each are available each year.