I loved this class, but I'm a little disappointed in it as an 'Introduction to Labor Studies' class. It really felt more like an 'Introduction to Labor Organizing' class, which is definitely valuable, but not the same! There was a very heavy focus on understanding contemporary labor movements (especially in LA, because of our location and the professor's own experience) alongside what organizing is and how to organize. This is incredible, but it's clear the focus is on trying to get people who might've just been taking this for a GE to get involved in labor work, and not to help prepare Labor Studies students.

What I mean is that I wish there was a heavier emphasis on thinking generally about power and class relations, and how the idea of labor movements and rebellion even began! How did we even start thinking about labor? I wanted to be reading Foucault, y'know? I was hoping this would help give me the necessary wider context and analytical skills to approach the rest of my studies, and I didn't really get that. Even our paper was sort of just asking us to read some stuff about a labor movement, summarize it, and then give a little bit of analysis about whether we thought it succeeded/failed and why-- nothing that challenged me to think critically.

Easy class, lovely professor, and definitely had immense value-- just not a very good introduction to/preparation for Labor Studies as a whole in my opinion. It should be a separate organizing-oriented class!

Professor Molina is such an AMAZING PROFESSOR!!! I highly recommend taking this class she is one of the most caring and sweetest professors I've had so far. Although the lecture are long, she provides snacks and gives breaks for her students. Additionally, Professor Molina cares the most about the learning of the students instead of performance or busywork assignments. Her lectures are very engaging and I appreciated that she brought guest speakers that actually worked in the field of labor studies that taught us real-life applications of the topics we were learning. Professor Molina is also extremely experienced within her field and I love how she always can speak about her own experiences during lecture (I love her passion!!!!) 10000/10 class take it if you can!