Assignments

First Mini Topic:

Two essays are required assignments - approximately 4 (typed & double-spaced) pages. Either a bibliography or support documents downloaded from the internet should be attached. The first paper is due the 3^rd week of the course. The second essay will be due the 6^th week of the course.

Number one is not an option this quarter without instructor approval!

1. In the first essay you will describe the experience of migrant farm workers employed in California agriculture.

- You select the era and culture

- Examples – late 1800’s - Chinese - Early 1900's Filipinos/Japanese

1930’s “Arkies/Okies” - 1940’s “Braceros”

The writing could include information regarding annual earnings, status, and perception by society, differences for males Vs females, etc.

0R

Write about your personal cultural background. Identify which generation of your ancestors first came to America and the country from which they came. Feel free to select just one side of the family. As an example, if one side of the family came from Portugal and the other side came from Canada, select one side to research and comment about.

You will elaborate on family history and research the era (1870's-1920's)-or whenever your ancestors immigrated to America. Write about the challenges faced by that culture in regard to acceptance to mainstream America - language - economics, etc.

Whichever write-up you select, it must include either a bibliography or copies of downloaded research.

Second Mini Topic:

Wage Proposal Essay:

You are an executive within the industry you have chosen and you are submitting a recommendation of increases (prior to negotiations) to your senior management.

Wage Proposal

Required Elements

	History
	Ability to pay
	Recommendation of increases - 3 years
	Current situation
	Rationale for recommendation.

Factors incorporated or considered within the proposal

Labor availability, within the industry you have chosen.

Advocacy for your employees - your assessment or identification of needs/wants.

Environmental / External Factors - How is the economy doing? Land costs for leasing acreage? Electricity rates?

Competition - What is a direct competitor paying? Or the industry average? Are you below the average?

Or

Grocery Strike Analysis

Required Elements

	Must be 5 pages in length
	First two pages will involve reviewing the employee viewpoint. Employee goals and achievements through negotiations.
	The second two pages will involve a review of the management position. What management gained or lost through these negotiations.
	The last page will summarize your opinion. How would you have approached these negotiations differently? What strategies would have created more success for both sides involved in the dispute.
	Personal interviews with strikers or union officials will be considered a positive enhancement to the write-up.