ObjectivesThis course will appeal especially to those who work for, or are active in, a labour movement organisation. The core modules provide the historical background and contemporary framework for an understanding of the issues facing the labour and trade union movement in its national and international settings. Optional and research methods modules, together with the dissertation provide an opportunity for more specialist work, which can be related to your own trade union or employment sector. The TUC Archive Collection, located in the University's Learning Centre, provides an invaluable and unique resource for students on this course. In addition, the Working Lives Research Institute, and in particular, its Centre for Trade Union Studies is closely associated with this course.
Entry requirementsGood Honours degree or equivalent. If you have lower qualifications but substantial relevant work or trade union experience, you are also encouraged to apply. You will be asked to provide a written summary of your work history and show how it relates to the aims of the course.
Academic titleMA Labour and Trade Union Studies
Course descriptionCourse structure
The course structure consists of two core taught modules, four optional modules and a triple-module dissertation.
Compulsory modules are:
-Labour, Race and Empire c.1880-1960
-Researching Trade Unions and the Labour Movement
-The Labour Movement, the Labour Process and the Economy
-Trade Unionism - the Ideological, Political and Legal Context
Optional modules include:
-History and Theory of Human Rights
-Human Rights and Labour Rights
-Women, Gender and Human Rights
-Human Rights and the International Order
-Governance and the Public Sector
-Collecting Life Histories
-Making Community Histories
-Violence Against Women
-Europe since 1918
-The Left in Europe
-European Integration
A dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words is required for the MA.
Assessment
Assessment is through course project work and essays.
Career opportunities
On completing this course you will be well placed to develop a career in trade union, labour movement and industrial relations settings. You may also apply to develop your dissertation into an MPhil/PhD.
Attendance & duration
Part-time (eve): two years, two evenings a week