BA Labour Studies Concentration

This program is closed to new admissions, effective April 24, 2018.

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.

Did you know? Athabasca University also offers:

• four-year BA Labour Studies Major
• Minor in Labour Studies (optional)
• University Certificate in Labour Studies
• Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations
• Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations (Post Diploma)
• University Certificate in Human Resources and Labour Relations

For specific degree requirements view each program page.

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Program Requirements

Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the 3-year BA with Concentration:

The maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition credits for the Labour Studies concentration is 30.

1. A minimum of 36 credits in concentration courses including a minimum of 24 senior (300 or 400) level credits.
2. 12 credits in the following designated Labour Studies concentration core courses:

   HIST 336	History of Canadian Labour	(6)
   LBST 200	Introduction to Labour Studies or	(3)
   LBST 202	Labour College of Canada: Introduction to Labour Studies
   SOCI 321	Sociology of Work and Industry	(3)

3. A minimum of 24 credits selected from the following designated Labour Studies concentration elective courses:

   EDUC/HRMT 310	The Canada Training System	(3)
   ENGL 306	The Literature of Work	(3)
   GLST/INTR/POEC 483	International Political Economy: The Politics of Globalization	(3)
   HIST 330	Social History of Canada: European Contact to Early Industrialization	(3)
   HIST 331	Social History of Canada: Early Industrialization to Contemporary Canada	(3)
   HIST 486	The Industrial Revolution	(3)
   IDRL*	All courses
   IDRL 309/LGST 310	Human Rights, the Charter and Labour Relations	(3)
   LBST	All courses
   POEC 393	Canada and the Global Political Economy	(3)
   PSYC 305	The Career Development Portfolio	(3)
   SOCI/WGST 345	Women and Work in Canada	(3)
   SOCI 331	Environmental Influences on Development and Aging Across the Life Course	(3)
   SOCI 348	Sociology of Environment and Health	(3)
   SOCI 381	The Rich and the Rest: The Sociology of Wealth, Power, and Inequality	(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.

Union Education Transfer Credit and Prior Learning

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 Union of 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 you for the cost of university tuition fees. Discuss this with your union representative or employer.