Most of us think of our work lives as quite
separate from our personal lives. For those who work a typical Monday
through Friday schedule, when Friday rolls around, we shout TGIF!
But how separate are these two worlds? At work, people have formal
relationships with others (e.g., supervisor-employee, co-worker) but they
also develop informal relationships such as friendships or romantic relationships.
Our relationships at work and other issues we face on the job influence
our personal lives and our communication with those outside of work.
Most people, for instance, have to figure out how to balance the demands
of work and family life. Recently, there have been cases of employees
being fired because they or their spouses posted nude pictures on their
web sites!
In this course we'll look at ways in which
these two supposedly distinct aspects of life, personal and work, are intimately
connected. Topics include superior-subordinate relationships and
communication; informal relationships in the workplace, especially friendships
and romantic relationships; areas of organizational policy such as sexual
harassment and parental/maternity leave policies; dual career families
and their decision-making processes; work-family conflict; child care and
division of household labor.
Class will be conducted through discussion,
activity, and a minimum of lecture. You are expected to complete
all assigned readings and contribute to class discussion.
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