Introduction

This course examines labour education in a global and comparative perspective. Students will be introduced to the basic concepts in labour education and will read about the history of Canadian labour education, the internal dynamics of union education in contemporary Canada and Australia, and the current state of unions and learning in a variety of national contexts. MAIS 650 will be of particular interest to students in the following MAIS areas of inquiry: Adult Education, Educational Studies or Global Change.

MAIS 650 will be of particular interest to students in the following MAIS areas of inquiry: Adult Education, Educational Studies, or Global Change

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you should be able to

1. define labour education.
2. discuss the historical development of Canadian labour education.
3. delineate and explain the various educational traditions that influence labour educators.
4. discuss the relationship between labour education, union building and union culture.
5. describe the current state of unions and learning in a variety of national contexts.
6. discuss the connections among the various themes in labour education that you encounter in the course.

Course Evaluation

Students must undertake substantial reading, communicate regularly with their tutor, and submit three written assignments. Assignment 1 is at least 2000 word in length and is based solely on materials in the course package, assignment 2 is at least 2500 words in length and is based solely on materials in the course package, and assignment 3 is at least 4000 words in length and is based on materials in the course package and extra materials beyond the course package.

To obtain credit in MAIS 650, students must complete successfully the course assignments and achieve a composite grade of at least 50 percent. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

There is no final examination in Canadian and International Labour Education.

Course Materials

The package you received should contain each of the items listed below. If anything is missing, contact the Course Materials Production division of Athabasca University. If you live in Edmonton or Calgary, we encourage you to call the Learning Centre in your city and use the automated telephone attendant to connect with Course Materials Production (the extension is 6366). If you live outside Edmonton or Calgary, but within Canada or the United States, you may call the automated attendant using Athabasca University's toll-free number, 1-800-788-9041 (extension 6366). If you live outside Canada or the United States, or if you prefer not to use the automated system, you may call Course Materials Production at (780) 675-6366. You may write in care of Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, Athabasca AB, T9S 3A3; or you may send e-mail to cmat@athabascau.ca.

Textbooks

• Martin, D. (1995). Thinking union: Activism and education in Canada's labour movement. Toronto: Between the Lines.
• Newman, M. (1993). The third contract: Theory and practice in trade union training. Sydney: Stewart Victor Publishing.
• Spencer, B. (Ed.) (2002). Unions and Learning in a Global Economy: International and Comparative Perspectives. Toronto: Thompson Educational Publishing Inc.
• Taylor, J. (2001). Union Learning: Canadian Labour Education in the Twentieth Century. Toronto: Thompson Educational Publishing Inc.

Athabasca University materials

Course guide: contains the course introduction, reading assignments, study questions, participation activities, assignments and evaluation criteria, as well as other information students will need to complete the course successfully. The Assignment File section at the back of the Course Guide explains the assignments you will have to complete to get credit for the course. Students should take time to review the information in this document in order to become familiar with the design of the course.