About the Association

The Working-Class Studies Association was formed in 2005 to support and promote interdisciplinary and activist projects focused on working-class lives and culture.  The WCSA publishes a semi-annual newsletter, holds annual conferences, sponsors an awards competition, and provides online resources.

Goals

  • Promote awareness, growth, and legitimacy of working-class studies internationally
  • Promote models of working-class studies that actively involve and serve the interests of working-class people
  • Promote critical discussions of the relationships among class, race, gender, sexuality, nationality, and other structures of inequality
  • Promote interdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary, and disciplinary approaches to studying and teaching about the lived experience of working-class people
  • Provide opportunities for academics, artists, activists, workers, independent scholars, students, and others to share their work, make connections with colleagues and professional organizations, and learn about resources
  • Facilitate conversations and critical debate engaging diverse intellectual and political approaches to scholarship, teaching, and outreach in working-class studies
  • Create partnerships that link scholarship with activism in labor, community, and other working-class social justice organizations

Download the WCSA Constitution as a PDF.

Steering Committee Members

President: Jack Metzgar, Emeritus, Roosevelt University
Past-President: Nick Coles, University of Pittsburgh
President-Elect: Barbara Jensen, Metropolitan State University
Secretary: Michele Fazio, University of North Carolina, Pembroke
Treasurer: Cherie Rankin, Heartland Community College
At-large members:

Sara Appel, Duke University
James V. Catano, Louisiana State University
Kathy M. Newman, Carnegie Mellon University
Liesl Orenic, Dominican University
Tim Strangleman, University of Kent

Newsletter Editor: Christie Launius, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Blogs

Memorial Day: It’s the Least Wealthy Who Serve and Suffer the Most in War
Source: Classism Exposed | 2013-05-25

If we don’t tell our stories, who will?
Source: Classism Exposed | 2013-05-23

The Future of Labor Unions and Community Coalitions
Source: WC Perspectives | 2013-05-20

Is paying for housecleaning classist?
Source: Classism Exposed | 2013-05-18

The Working-Class Studies Association aims to develop and promote multiple forms of scholarship, teaching, and activism related to working-class life and cultures.