Sociology of work (BSS320)

This course is designed to help students understand the key sociological themes relevant to working life, particularly under the circumstance of a more dynamic and competitive global labor market. It provides a practical introduction of working life, and additionally a critical understanding of the opportunities and challenges for individuals, organizations, and society. The course responds to a list of Norwegian national initiatives (such as The Equality and Discrimination Act, 2017 nr.5; NOU 2017:2 Integration and trust), that are crucial in working life to achieve equality. It is also designed in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 5 (5.1 and 5.C), SDG 8 (8.5 and 8.8), and SDG 10 (10.2 and 10.3), to empower and promote opportunities for all, irrespective of sex, ethnicity or other status in a decent working life.

This course is taught in English.


Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

BSS320

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English

Content

The course is about the frameworks and processes that characterize what we call modern working life from the sociological perspective. Examples include:

  • Technology, globalization, and work
  • Central changes in occupational structure and working life, in Norway and internationally
  • Differences in employment and organizational forms across societies

The course also investigates the changes, challenges and opportunities in today's work situations, and how these influence our relationship with work and the role of work. Examples include:

  • Socialization and identity at the workplace
  • The relationship between work and family
  • Gender issues in the workplace
  • Social capital, cultural capital, and job search in the labor market

Learning outcome

In this course, your analytical skills will be further developed through the acquisition of knowledge about key perspectives in sociology of work. This includes being able to identify important working life sociological issues, collecting key information via theories, concepts and existing studies in sociology of work, analyzing the information and cases you obtain, and then presenting the results to others. This gives you the basis to have informed discussions about social issues and patterns in working life from diverse points of view.

Upon completing the course, students are expected to obtain the following knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

Students will

  • Have good knowledge of the core topics in the sociology of work
  • Develop an advanced understanding of complexity and relations, challenges and opportunities about the modern occupational structure and working life
  • Achieve knowledge of procedures and strategies in the face of a changing and dynamic global labour market.

Skills:

Students will obtain:

  • Ability to analyze critical mechanisms and processes that contribute to the maintenance and change of modern working life,
  • Ability to discuss different perspectives on work situations,
  • Ability to think sociologically of relationships and developmental features and mechanisms in modern working life.

General competence:

Students will gain:

  • Ability to apply scientific knowledge to understand complex relationships
  • Ability of reflection and critical analysis

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
School exam 1/1 5 Hours Letter grades Curriculum books, Textbook,

Students can take exams in Norwegian or English.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Dian Liu

Course teacher:

Lars Klemsdal

Method of work

The course consists of lecture plus student group work per week. The language of instruction is English.

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
Sociology of work (BSP350_1) 10

Open for

Pre-School Teacher - Bachelor's Degree Programme Pre-School Teacher - Bachelor's Degree Programme Bachelor in child protection and child welfare Battery and Energy Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Biological Chemistry - Biotechnology - Bachelor's Degree Programme Civil Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Urban Planning and Societal Safety - Bachelor's Degree Programme Computer Science - Bachelor in Engineering Computer Science - Bachelor in Engineering, Part-Time Digital Service Management - Bachelor's Degree Programme Electrical Engineering - Bachelor's Degree Programme, part-time Electrical Engineering - Bachelor's Degree Programme Energy and Petroleum Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering English Language and Literature - Bachelor's Degree Programme Film and TV Production - Bachelor's Degree Programme Geosciences and Energy Resources - Bachelor in Engineering History - Bachelor's Degree Programme Hotel Management - Bachelor's Degree Programme Sports Science- Bachelor's Programme Journalism - Bachelor's Degree Programme Environmental Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Mechanical Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Mathematics and Physics - Bachelor's Degree Programme Medical Technology - Bachelor in Engineering Medical Technology - Bachelor in Engineering - part time Nordic Language and Literature - Bachelor's Degree Programme Paramedic - Bachelor's Degree Programme Psychology - Bachelor's Programme Tourism Management - Bachelor's Degree Programme Religion, Culture and Society - Bachelor's Programme Law - bachelor's degree program Extended School Education - Bachelor's Degree Programme Sociology - Bachelor's Degree Programme Social Work - Bachelor's Degree Programme Political Science - Bachelor's Degree Programme Nursing - Bachelor's Degree Programme Customs and Border Management - Bachelor's Degree Programme Business Administration - Bachelor's Degree Programme Primary and Lower Secondary Teacher Education for Years 1 - 7, Master Primary and Lower Secondary Teacher Education for Years 1 - 7, Master, Part-Time Primary and Lower Secondary Teacher Education for Years 5 - 10, Master Advanced teacher education for levels 8-13 Advanced teacher education for level 8-13 in science Mathematics and Physics - Five Year Integrated Master's Degree Programme Half Year Intermediate Program in English Half Year Intermediate Program in History Christianity/Religion - Half Year Intermediate Programme Half Year Intermediate Program in Nordic Languages and Literature Educational Theory and Practice Educational Theory and Practice Educational Theory and Practice in Performing and Creative Arts Educational Theory and Practice in Performing and Creative Arts
Exchange programme at Faculty of Social Sciences
Drama and Theatre Communication- One-year programme English - One-year programme Outdoor Education Offshore Wind Energy - One-Year Study Program History - One-year programme Sports Science- One-year programme Communication - One Year Study Programme Religious Studies - One-year programme Arts and Crafts - One-year programme Learning and Psychology, a one-year course Mathematics - One-Year Programme Primary and Secondary School Music Education Nordic Languages and Literature - One-year programme Psychology - One-year programme Science and Technology - one-year programme Tourism in change - One - year Programme Sociology - One-year programme Political Science - One - year Programme One year study programme - Music Performance Økonomi og ledelse - årsstudium

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

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