Universität Wien

240555 SE MM3 An Anthropology of Work and Pleasure (2024S)

2.50 ECTS (1.00 SWS), SPL 24 - Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie
Continuous assessment of course work

Participation at first session is obligatory!

The lecturer can invite students to a grade-relevant discussion about partial achievements. Partial achievements that are obtained by fraud or plagiarized result in the non-evaluation of the course (entry 'X' in certificate). The plagiarism software 'Turnitin' will be used.
The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) for the attainment of partial achievements is only allowed if explicitly requested by the course instructor.
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 04.03. 16:45 - 20:00 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 06.03. 09:45 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Transformations and reconfigurations of working conditions as well as discourses on the need to rethink the concept of work all together have been flourishing for the past few decades and have often been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this course is to study the ways in which pleasure (incl. satisfaction, fun, enjoyment, happiness, passion, etc.) and constraints are part and parcel of working activities, hence going beyond the common opposition of work against pleasure. To consider work from an anthropological perspective should permit us to step out of a restrictive conception of “work equals employment” and to explore the blurred boundaries between work and leisure, work and non-work, and so on. An exploration in terms of space, time, activity, sensorial experience, expertise, economics, and so on will take place through a series of case-studies coming from the teacher’s own research, as well as from literature. Lectures will be combined with discussions.
Learning Outcomes: Students are expected to take an anthropological, critical stance and fresh perspective on work, in particular from the viewpoint of pleasure, but not only. They should also develop a sharper view on working activities and their specificities.

Assessment and permitted materials

Attendance on both days of the course is obligatory. Active participation in class discussion is expected. A short essay of approximately 1500 words must be submitted within six weeks after the course (exact date to be announced). Participation and attendance will account for 30% of the evaluation.
The use of AI is not permitted.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Each student has to be present on the two course dates for the whole duration of the class.
Each student has to contribute actively to class discussions at least twice. 30 possible points
The required essay has to be submitted in a timely manner. 70 possible points
Each of the above requirements have to be fulfilled in order to pass the class.
Grades:
• 91-100 points - 1 (excellent)
• 81-90 points - 2 (good)
• 71-80 points - 3 (satisfactory)
• 61-70 points - 4 (sufficient)
In order to complete the course, students need to obtain at least 61 points.

Examination topics

The topic of the essay has to be agreed on with the teacher, class readings have to be made use of plus two additional sources researched by the student.

Reading list

Dumont, G. 2015. “Co-creation and New Media: The entrepreneurial Work of Climbing Photographers in Digital Times”, Anthropology of Work Review, XXXVI, 1: 26-36.
GIBERT, M-P. 2016. « Was Fourier’s “joy in work” so utopic? Researching work and pleasure in the 21st century”. Journal of the Anthropologist Society of Oxford. New Series, VIII, 2: Online.
Reno, J. 2009. “Your Trash Is Someone's Treasure: The Politics of Value at a Michigan Landfill”, Journal of Material Culture, 14, 1: 29-46.
Rice, K. 2010, “ ‘Working on Holiday’: Relationships between Tourism and Work among Young Canadians in Edinburgh”, Anthropology in Action, 17, 1: 30-40.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 04.03.2024 11:26