University of Technology Sydney

54004 The Future of Work

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10455 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of Laws, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10252-C10263, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10359 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10361-C10364, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10365-C10368, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10369 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10370 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Bachelor of International Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10371 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10372-C10383, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10264 Bachelor of Global Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10269 Bachelor of Sound and Music Design OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10270 Bachelor of Sound and Music Design Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10276 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10277 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of International Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10425 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of Languages and Cultures OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10434-C10439 OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10405 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Master of Teaching Secondary Education OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10451 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10452 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of International Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10454 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10465 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10446 Bachelor of Criminology OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10447 Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of International Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10448 Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of Forensic Science)) OR ((24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10020 Bachelor of Business Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10129 Bachelor of Laws Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10167 Bachelor of Medical Science Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10215 Bachelor of Construction Project Management Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10243 Bachelor of Science Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10272 Bachelor of Design Interior Architecture Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10302 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10303 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Management Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10305 Bachelor of Design Product Design Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10307 Bachelor of Design Fashion and Textiles Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10309 Bachelor of Design Visual Communication Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10320 Bachelor of Property Economics Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10343 Bachelor of Management Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10388 Bachelor of Forensic Science Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10396 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10458 Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10239 Bachelor of Information Technology Bachelor of International Studies)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 94680 Entering Professional Life (6cp) AND 94681 Entering Professional Life (8cp)

Description

This subject provides an internship-like experience for students. Students explore contemporary debates concerning the future of work and employment. Critical insights are developed into changes now taking place in the labour market and students have opportunities to reflect on their own working futures in light of these changes. The subject covers new forms of work, including debates around digital labour, creative labour and affective labour; entrepreneurship and the demand to create your own work; free labour and the changing relations between work and remuneration; flexible work and the erosion of boundaries between work and leisure. Opportunities are provided for students to apply knowledge and insights gained through observational workplace experiences, as well assessing their own transferable workplace skills via skills audits.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Debates the future of work and employment
b. Analyse how work is changing in specific industries using ideas and concepts explored in the subject
c. Use ideas and concepts explored in the subject to analyse the characteristics of different workplaces
d. Reflect on the relationship between their university studies and their career aspirations
e. Reflect critically on their transferable professional skills

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

  • Possess a well-developed awareness of professional practice in the context of the communication industries (1.1)
  • Apply theoretically informed understanding of the communication industries in independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
  • Possess information literacy skills to locate, gather, organise and synthesise information across diverse platforms to inform the understanding of the communication industries (2.1)
  • Be reflexive critical thinkers and creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative and innovative, with an ability to evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
  • Employ professional skills responsibly and respectfully in a global environment (3.2)
  • Possess well-developed skills and proficiencies to communicate and respond effectively and appropriately across different contexts (6.1)
  • Demonstrate digital literacy and production skills across a range of media and media texts (6.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

In this subject, students learn about different debates concerning the future of work and employment in instructor-led interactive lectures, small group discussions of readings, case studies, and student group work. Students are expected to undertake independent reading prior to each class and to participate in collaborative online peer discussions between classes to develop a detailed understanding current debates concerning work and employment, They develop the capacity to analyse specific industries using both scholarly and popular resources that support their engagement with key topics. Feedback on their use of ideas and concepts explored in the subject to analyse different workplaces will be provided to students in class ahead of the first formal assessment task.The subject involves workplace analysis and industry engagement. Students are expected to work collaboratively in class and online to develop materials for the student led activities that form the basis of the industry engagement. Detailed guidance on the nature of transferable professional skills will be given and exercises will be conducted in class to prepare students to undertake a skills audit.

Content (topics)

The subject explores changes in the nature of work and employment. It does so through coverage of the following topics: the changing nature of work, employment and the labour market; changing relations between work, pay and productivity; new forms of work including digital labour, creative labour and affective labour; precarious work and in-work poverty; free labour and the loosening relations of work and remuneration; entrepreneurship; flexible work and the eroding boundaries between work and leisure; transferable professional skills and skills audits.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: News Story Analysis

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 20%
Length:

1000 words

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Appropriateness of the articles selected 20 a, b 2.1
Clarity of analysis of issues and relevance to the topics covered in class 30 c 1.2
Integration of relevant scholarly literature 30 a, b 2.2
Coherence of structure and clarity of expression 20 c 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Contemporary Workplace Issues Analysis

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 60%
Length:

Part A Group Component: interview preparation, interview questions and post-interview reflection: equivalent of 1500 words per group.

Part B Individual Component: 1500-word report

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Thoroughness of preparation and contributions to interview materials. (Part A: group component). 10 a, b 6.2
Insightfulness of reflection on the post-interview session. (Part A: group component). 10 c 6.1
Clarity and originality of analysis in report and reflection on issues raised in the interview. (Part B: individual component). 35 a, b, c 2.2
Integration of ideas and concepts explored in the subject into analysis of workplace issues raised in the interview. (Part B: individual component). 35 a, b 1.2
Coherence of report structure and clarity of expression. (Part B: individual component). 10 c 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Skills Audit

Objective(s):

b, c, d and e

Weight: 20%
Length:

1000 words.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Clarity of understanding of the nature of transferable professional skills 30 d 2.2
Relevance of skills identified. 30 e 3.2
Depth of understanding of the conditions shaping contemporary work practices 20 b 1.1
Clarity of expression of ideas and logical presentation of argument 20 c 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Attendance at classes is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor to build capacities towards meeting the subject learning objectives. A roll will be taken at each class (whether on campus or online). Students who have more than two absences from class will be refused marking of their final assessment (see Rule 3.8).