Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - LBST 101 D100

Work and Worker's Rights: Introducing Labour Studies (3)

Class Number: 2895

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    John-Henry Harter
    jhharter@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-7693
    Office Hours: Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:00 PM in person or anytime via Zoom (just email with some days/times that work for you)

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces key concepts and approaches for understanding the character and organization of work, employment relations, worker’s rights, and labour movements in contemporary society. Explores who does paid and unpaid work and under what conditions through the study of trends and issues, including migration and immigration, unionization, precarious employment, and automation. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course, we will examine the nature of work and class in Canada to understand our rights as workers. We begin by looking at the concept of class and what it means to be working class. Then we move onto examining the history of working-class organization in Canada and an examination of the current state of the labour movement and working-class politics. We will also look at the contemporary nature of work and our economy. While our jobs often seem individual, isolated, temporary, even random, they are part of a global economic system, and so understanding work means understanding that system. We will think critically about work to better understand our own jobs, the Canadian economy, and corporate organization.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course will allow students to learn about the labour movement in Canada. Students will come away with an understanding of how class operates in society. This course will also provide students with basic vocabulary for understanding concepts in the field of labour studies.

The course will draw on students' experiences and help provide the tools we need to understand the increasingly complex world of work and labour. We will stress themes of social justice, labour relations, and the work process, ranging from contingent labour to the boardroom.

Grading

  • Participation 12.5%
  • Short discussion answers 12.5%
  • Midterm Exam 30%
  • Work experience reflection 25%
  • Final Reflection 20%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraws from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The undergraduate course grading system is A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F, N (N standing indicates student did not complete course requirements). Intervals for the assignment of final letter grades based on course percentage grades are as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Labour Studies Program follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10-S10.05).  Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style.  It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.    

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

REQUIREMENTS:

PREREQUISITES: LBST 100 or 101 is a prerequisite.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available online via Canvas.


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.