Regulations effective September 1, 2015.
Athabasca University’s Labour Studies program is designed for students who want to know more about the position of labour and working people in society. It will be of particular interest to trade unionists at both the leadership and general membership levels. Offerings include courses in labour history, work organization, women and unions, and the theory and practice of trade unions.
Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating. Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
A maximum of 39 PLAR credits is allowed if you choose the Labour Studies major.
Did you know? Athabasca University also offers:
For specific degree requirements view each program page.
Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the 4-year BA with Major:
HIST 336 | History of Canadian Labour | (6) |
LBST 200 LBST 202 |
Introduction to Labour Studies or Labour College of Canada: Introduction to Labour Studies |
(3) |
SOCI 321 | Sociology of Work and Industry | (3) |
EDUC/HRMT 310 | The Canadian Training System | (3) |
ENGL 306 | The Literature of Work | (3) |
HIST 329 | Social History of Canada | (6) |
HIST 486 | The Industrial Revolution | (3) |
IDRL | All courses* | |
IDRL 309/LGST 310 | Human Rights, the Charter and Labour Relations | (3) |
INTR/GLST/POEC 483 | International Political Economy: The Politics of Globalization | (3) |
LBST | All courses | |
LBST/HIST 470 | Pre-Industrial Origins of Labour and Socialist Thought |
(3) |
LBST/HIST 471 | Labour and Socialist Thought in the Early Industrial Revolution, 1800–1850 | (3) |
POEC 393 | Canada and the Global Political Economy | (3) |
POLI 383 | Canadian Political Economy in a Global Era | (3) |
POLI 450 | Globalization and Human Rights | (3) |
PSYC 305 | The Career Development Portfolio | (3) |
SOCI/WGST 345 | Women and Work in Canada | (3) |
SOCI 381 | The Sociology of Power and Inequality | (3) |
SOCI 435 | Theories of Social Change | (3) |
*All courses labelled IDRL can be taken as either Applied Studies or Social Science courses, but not both. To use these courses to satisfy the Social Science area of study requirement, students must contact Transfer Credit Services and request the change upon completion of the course.
Athabasca University grants advanced credit in the Labour studies program for some union education programs. A student who has completed a Labour College of Canada Intensive Program, for example, may be eligible to receive nine credits. Students who have completed the Canadian Auto Workers Paid Educational Leave course may be eligible to receive three credits. And students who have completed the Canadian Postal Workers’ Union Education Program may be eligible to receive six credits. Credit is also granted for other union education programs and for other forms of prior learning. Contact Athabasca University for details.
Many unions, and some employers, will reimburse students for the cost of university tuition fees. Discuss this with your union representative or employer.
Information effective Sept. 1, 2015 to Aug. 31, 2016.
Updated December 21 2018 by laurab
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