Labour Studies, M.A.

The M.A. offers students a truly interdisciplinary program of study in the area of Labour Studies combining interdisciplinary courses in Labour Studies offered by core faculty and related courses offered by other departments and schools at McMaster. Program of study outside of the core courses will be approved by a Graduate Studies Committee. The interdisciplinary nature of the program will be further enhanced by welcoming students enrolled in graduate programs offered by other departments into the core Labour Studies courses. The M.A. Program in Labour Studies offers two streams:

i. a course work and research paper option that is normally completed in one calendar year, and,
ii. a course work and thesis option that is normally completed in 20 months.

Both streams lead to the degree Master of Arts in Labour Studies and are available on a part time basis.

Requirements

Students will have two options for completing their M.A.

Course Work and Research Paper Option

Students will be required to complete six (6) half courses, including:

A minimum of four half courses from the menu of Labour Studies core grad courses. LABRST 715 Methods or an equivalent Methods course approved by the program is required.
Two additional courses offered by other departments or the School of Labour Studies. (Note: In selecting the courses from other departments, students can choose from a menu of approved courses. Programs of study will be subject to the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee.)
A research paper (10,000-12,500 words, including endnotes and bibliography) supervised by a core or associate faculty member. The research paper will be read by the supervisor and another faculty member. (If the supervisor is an associate member, then the second reader must be a core faculty member selected by the supervisor in consultation with the student).

Course Work and Thesis Option

Students will be required to complete five (5) half courses, including:

A minimum of four half courses from the menu of Labour Studies core grad courses. LABRST 715 is required or an equivalent Methods course approved by the program.
One additional course from among those offered by other departments or the School of Labour Studies. (Note: In selecting the courses from other departments, student can choose from a menu of approved courses. Programs of study will be subject to the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee.)
A thesis (15,000-20,000 words including endnotes and bibliography) supervised by a core faculty member. The thesis will be orally examined by a committee including the supervisor and two other faculty selected by the thesis supervisor in consultation with the student.
For students choosing the thesis option, an additional three terms are available to complete their degree. This will be negotiated with their supervisor during January of their first year when their proposal is being developed.

Courses in Labour Studies

Courses will be selected from the following menu: