HIST 335 is a cross-listed course—a course listed under 3 different disciplines—GLST 335 and LBST 335. HIST 335 cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for GLST 335 or LBST 335.
HIST 335 follows workers and workers movements throughout the history of global capitalism. It provides the theoretical tools needed to understand changing conditions of work, and different strategies used by workers to improve their conditions. The course uses the cotton and rubber industries as examples to highlight the diverse worlds of work, beginning in cotton and rubber plantations and culminating in global production networks—with cotton driving 19th century capitalism, and rubber as a key component of automobile manufacturing, the leading industry of the 20th century. The course also delves into the history of labour movements in different parts of the world, including intersections with other movements, such as those against slavery, colonialism, and discrimination based on race and gender.
Learning outcomes
After completing HIST 335 you should be able to
Explain what Global Labour History is about and how it is relevant to thinking about labour and labour movements today.
Describe changes in global divisions of labour throughout the history of capitalist development.
Understand the diversity of labour ranging from slavery and indentured labour to paid and unpaid work.
Understand the diversity of labour movements throughout the history of capitalist development.
Draw lessons from labour’s past experiences with respect to future strategies for labour.
Outline
Unit 1: What is Global Labour History? Why Is It important? How Can It Be Studied?
Unit 2: Global Capitalism and Labour I: The Cotton Case
Unit 3: Global Capitalism and Labour II: The Rubber Case
Unit 4: Global Labour Movements: Lessons from the Past
Evaluation
To receive credit for HIST 335, you must complete four written assignments and achieve an overall grade of D (50 percent) or better for the entire course. Your final grade is determined by a weighted average of the grades you receive on these assignments for credit. The weightings for these assignments are as indicated below.
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1: Essay
25%
Assignment 2: Essay
25%
Assignment 3: Essay
25%
Assignment 4: Essay
25%
Total
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Beckert, Sven. (2014). Empire of cotton: A new history of global capitalism. Penguin Books. (Print)
Tully, J. (2011). The Devil’s milk: A social history of rubber. Monthly Review Press. (Print)
Other Materials
All other course materials are online
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the HIST 335 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent)on the challenge assignment.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.