Labour Studies Courses
LBST 101 - Introducing Labour Studies (3)
Introduction to key concepts necessary for understanding the character and organization of work in contemporary society. The discussion of such issues as how our society decides who works, what the work will be, and under what conditions people work, will be situated in the context of current debates, trends and issues. Breadth-Social Sciences.
LBST 230 - Special Topics in Labour Studies (3)
A seminar devoted to the in-depth examination of a topic in Labour Studies not regularly offered by the Program. The course may be repeated for credit when different topics are offered. Prerequisite: LBST 101 is strongly recommended.
LBST 301W - Labour Movements: Contemporary Issues and Images (3)
This course will give students a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary structure, issues, and perceptions of labour unions and other forms of working-class organization. It will focus on external and internal problems that the labour movement faces, such as labour law and state policy, employer strategies, bureaucracy, racism and sexism. The treatment of labour in the media and popular culture will provide an understanding of how labour is viewed in society, how labour views itself, and how working-class culture informs and is informed by the larger culture. Prerequisite: Recommended: LBST 101. Students with credit for LBST 301 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
LBST 306 - The Political Economy of Labour Markets: Critical and Radical Approaches (3)
An exploration of critical and radical political economy traditions in Labour Studies with a focus on how these approaches have diverged from, and provided alternatives to, classical and orthodox economic understandings of labour and labour markets. Prerequisite: LBST 101 is strongly recommended.
LBST 307 - Unfree Labour and Modern Slavery: Understanding Coercion and Exploitation in Contemporary Labour Markets (3)
An exploration of the expanding forms of unfree labour in capitalist economies as products of changing labour processes, global labour markets, and the policies of neoliberalism and 'austerity'. Prerequisite: LBST 101 is strongly recommended.
LBST 308 - The Labour Process: Work and Technological Change (3)
Technological change and globalization are constantly transforming the nature of work. These transformations are examined in the historical development of work, with specific emphasis on the changing nature of the labour process in the present era. Prerequisite: Strongly recommended: LBST 101 and/or 301.
LBST 309 - Labour and Collective Bargaining (3)
An introduction to collective bargaining: it will cover the legal requirements of the Labour Code, the bargaining process and the organizational structure and components of collective agreements, including the grievance-arbitration process. Prerequisite: Strongly recommended: LBST 101 and at least one other Labour Studies course.
LBST 310 - The Politics of Labour in Canada (3)
The politics of the working class and union movement in the context of neoliberal economic and public policy, recurring economic crises, the changing nature of work, and declining membership. Central to the course will be the question of electoral politics and organized labour's relationship to political parties. Prerequisite: Strongly recommended: LBST 101 and 30 credit hours.
LBST 311 - Labour and the Environment (3)
The changing relationships between unions and environmental groups; how work in various industries contribute to climate change; and how climate-change policies affect workers in different ways. The consequences of climate policies for different categories of workers, identified by economic sector, geographic location, gender, ethnicity, and Aboriginal status. Prerequisite: Strongly recommended: LBST 101 and 30 credit hours.
LBST 313 - Introduction to Canadian Labour Law (3)
An introduction to labour and employment law in Canada, covering both union and non-union sectors. The course will focus variously on: the principles and practice of the BC Labour Relations Code, the Canada Labour Code, BC Employment Standards Act. BC Human Rights Code, the Workers Compensation Act (WorkSafeBC), and the contested history of labour legislation and related common law. Prerequisite: LBST 101 is strongly recommended.
LBST 328 - Labour Geographies (3)
Examines contemporary debates in Labour Geography and geographical approaches to work and employment. Lectures explore the relationships between space, place and labour market change in the context of globalization and uneven development. Prerequisite: 60 units; LBST 101 or GEOG 221. Students with credit for GEOG 328 may not take this course for further credit.
LBST 330 - Selected Topics in Labour Studies (3)
The study of issues related to work and/or trade unions not offered in regular courses. Prerequisite: Strongly recommended: LBST 101 and/or 301. Students who have completed special temporary topics course LBST 389 cannot complete this course for further credit when it is offered as "Studying Labour Through Film.".