Universities and unpaid work: Louis Althusser re-visited

Siebert, S. (2019) Universities and unpaid work: Louis Althusser re-visited. In: Values of the University in a Time of Uncertainty. Springer: Cham, pp. 125-135. ISBN 9783030159696 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-15970-2_9)

Abstract

This chapter examines the practice of student work experience as a route into employment through the theoretical lens of Louis Althusser’s ideological state apparatuses. In particular, I focus on unpaid work experience which is compulsory or highly recommended, but not formally facilitated by the university. Work experience such as this raises a concern about the exploitative nature of unpaid work. I investigate to what extent such consideration is evident in the universities’ discourse of employability. Drawing on Althusser’s notion of ideological state apparatuses I pose the question whether the universities’ approach to employability, based on the values of individualism, can be held responsible for legitimising unpaid labour as a method of gaining access to paid employment.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Keston-Siebert, Professor Sabina
• Authors: Siebert, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Publisher: Springer
• ISBN: 9783030159696
• Published Online: 18 June 2019