Undergraduate Programs
The McMaster School of Labour Studies is widely recognized as being among the best work and labour studies schools in the world. Our undergraduate program is innovative and interdisciplinary, students engage with the many and varied issues that animate our contemporary worlds of work. We offer students a diverse mix of practical knowledge, theory and history.
Course explore a range of material from the medieval roots of modern labour markets to discussions of how to deal with the challenges created by globalization. Students may choose to debate what form unions should take in the future or learn how unions are recognized and their obligations to bargain. Our undergraduate students often use their optional courses to specialize in one of the Social Sciences, such as Sociology, Political Science or Economics.
We also offer honours students field experience and co-op options, which allow them to further develop their research skills while gaining practical experience working for a union, government agency or private employer. Our graduates have high rates of success in securing desirable careers. Learn more about where a Labour Studies degree can take you.
Highlighted Undergraduate Courses
Pop Culture, Media and Work – WORKLABR 2M03
The “medium is the message.” If this famous quote is true, what messages are television, movies and music giving us about the types of work most of us do? This course will explore how workers are portrayed in dominant media and how these portrayals reflect and shape our identities and popular culture.
Will Robots Take All Our Jobs? – WORKLABR 1D03
This course explores the future of work in the face of the advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and other technologies, and considers which jobs are most vulnerable to automation. How is technology changing the work/life balance, and how will the current 4th industrial revolution be different than the previous ones? Most importantly, how can we organize to make machines enhance our lives instead of threatening our futures?


Explore the future of work with Work & Labour Studies
Our amazing undergrad and grad students worked with us to make this video exploring some of the challenges of contemporary work.


CAREERS FOR LABOUR STUDIES MAJORS

