LBR STD 179A
Neoliberalism, Social Justice, and Community Organizing
Description: (Formerly numbered Labor and Workplace Studies 179A.) Lecture, three hours. Study of intersection of neoliberalism, democracy, and rise of social justice movements primarily in U.S. This offers in-depth, theoretically rigorous, and empirically-based understanding of dynamics that have produced specific form of crisis that envelopes contemporary politics. Focus on understanding and explaining development and current structures of neoliberalism as both ideological frame and form of governance. Examination of some of main works on democratic theory and their relationship to issue of social justice that demonstrate how specific pattern of development of neoliberalism in U.S. since 1980 has undermined democratic governance and produced conditions that have deepened levels of inequality. Examination of emergence of grassroots politics that have organized around issues that challenge or contest neoliberal dominance and attempt to reassert principles of democratic inclusion through their struggles for social change. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2025 - While I did enjoy some of the lectures as they contained interesting information, I largely found most of the lectures to be overly wordy and boring at times. Professor Rocco appears very helpful and wants to help students succeed, hosting office hours and providing help for students seeking. My biggest problem with this class was the grade structure, since it is only made up of two tests and a final exam; just one bad score can destroy your opportunities for an A. For anybody taking the class, it is extremely light in terms of workload. I HIGHLY recommend doing all the readings as they are key to the tests. Prepare for the tests, as you need good scores for any chance of an A. The final is three short-answer-based questions; they largely pull from the general theme of the class and just require you to look at past lecture notes. I found the class to be mostly easy, but do not get caught up in the tests to make sure you get that A.
Fall 2025 - While I did enjoy some of the lectures as they contained interesting information, I largely found most of the lectures to be overly wordy and boring at times. Professor Rocco appears very helpful and wants to help students succeed, hosting office hours and providing help for students seeking. My biggest problem with this class was the grade structure, since it is only made up of two tests and a final exam; just one bad score can destroy your opportunities for an A. For anybody taking the class, it is extremely light in terms of workload. I HIGHLY recommend doing all the readings as they are key to the tests. Prepare for the tests, as you need good scores for any chance of an A. The final is three short-answer-based questions; they largely pull from the general theme of the class and just require you to look at past lecture notes. I found the class to be mostly easy, but do not get caught up in the tests to make sure you get that A.
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