SOC 4375 – GENDER AND WORK (COMPARATIVE CULTURES: US & FINLAND) SPRING 2026

The University of Texas at Dallas

Professor: Dr. Sheryl Skaggs, GR 2.234 E-Mail: slskaggs@utdallas.edu

Phone: 972-883-4460

COURSE PRE-REQUISITES: None

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will introduce students to the study of work organizations including culture, leadership and hierarchy, work processes, and employment policies. Students will build knowledge of these areas through relevant scholarly literature, class sessions, company site visits, and application-based collaborative assignments. U.S. and Finnish workplace comparisons will be made, as the latter is often viewed as an ideal type, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this course, students should be able to:

Identify, explain, and apply sociological and organizational theories of workplace structures, hierarchy, and gender differences regarding job/occupational opportunities and outcomes. This objective will be assessed using writing assignments.

Demonstrate an ability to critically examine organizational and workplace policies aimed at addressing gender-based disparities (e.g., work-life culture). This objective will be assessed using project-based learning assignments and presentations.

Understand and explain key comparative differences in US and Finnish workplace structures, culture, and employment policies (e.g., leave, training, etc.). This objective will be assessed through student completion of written and applied assignments.