How did our economic system evolve? What is GDP? How are wages determined? Is competition good for workers? These and other questions will be addressed in this course. This is an on-line course featuring mini lectures by Jim Stanford, videos and animations describing how the economy works, readings from Jim Stanfordââ‚,¬â„,¢s Economics for Everyone, and online quizzes. This is a self-paced course in which students will view online presentations, complete readings and submit exercises to an instructor via email. Students will have access to a course facilitator thorough email. Please contact us for more details regarding this course.

Course No. 853, Unit:4


Phone: 905-682-2611 ext. 238  

The two session course explores Canadian economic sovereignty both historically and today. The first session presented by Wayne Lewchuk of McMaster School of Labour Studies will examine the decisions over the last 150 years that shaped the degree of economic sovereignty today and how these forces have played out in a contemporary manufacturing sector example: US Steel's purchase of STELCO in Hamilton. The second session of this course will broaden the analysis to explore Canadian sovereignty over natural resources with a focus on control over freshwater rights. Growing demand for freshwater in the United States has resulted in pressure to open up Canadian water supplies to service American water needs. The Council of Canadians has stated that control over our freshwater resources is central to our national wellbeing and must be protected by law for the common good, not for individual profit. A consensus is building that control over this important resource is the next frontier in the battle over control of Canadian resources.

Course No. 867A, Unit: 2


Phone: 905-682-2611 ext. 238  

Please join the Housing Help Centre at Market Square, King St, Downtown St. Catharines for the 12th Annual Toque Tuesday in support of homelessness outreach programs in Niagara.

$10 includes a Raising the Roof toque, pancakes, sausage and fresh Starbucks coffee or tea!

Wear a 2012 Raising the Roof toque and ride St. Catharines Transit FREE for the entire day!

Funds raised in our community stay in our community: 80% of the net proceeds raised through toque sales will directly support Community Care/Housing Help and the programs that best serve the homeless population in St. Catharines & Thorold. The remaining 20% will fund national Raising the Roof initiatives contributing to long-term solutions to homelessness

The current financial crisis has been largely precipitated by debt crises in states belonging to the Eurozone. Beginning with debt issues in Ireland, Portugal and Greece, instability has recently spread to Europeââ‚,¬â„,¢s larger and more powerful economies of Spain, Italy and many analysts fear perhaps even Germany. What is the basis of the European financial crisis? How should the Canadian government respond to the European crisis? How do events in Europe impact our economy and our jobs? Does the current global financial crisis present an opportunity to consider alternative models of global financial management? Join Jim Stanford for this one session course that will explore these questions and provide students with a better understanding of the causes and possible implications of what is taking place in the global economy.

Course No. 864A, Unit: 1 Date: February 13


Phone: 905-682-2611 ext. 238  

This course will provide students who are near completion of (or have completed) the certificate program with an introduction to some of the basic skills required for continuing their studies either in the advanced CAW/MAC Labour Studies Certificates or in other College or University programs. It will focus on how to improve your communication skills through writing and oral presentations, how to take notes from a talk or a reading and how to make good use of libraries and online resources.

Course No. 860, Unit: 4


Phone: 905-682-2611 ext. 238  

Civil liberties are fundamental rights and freedoms that many of us take for granted and expect are protected under Canadian law. These rights include freedom of expression, assembly, peaceful protest, and due process. The suspension of these rights during recent demonstrations in Toronto against the G8 and G20 summits underscores the fragility of these rights. The first session of this two session course will be presented by a member of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association who will discuss the evolution of these rights and the legislative measures in place to protect them. A focus of this session will be a discussion of the growing tendency of Canadian governments to suspend these rights justified on the basis of the public interest. The second session of this course will feature Larry Savage of Brock University who will discuss Canadian labour rights and the increasing reliance of Canadian governments to intervene in the collective bargaining process to suspend these legislated rights. Governments argue that current economic conditions justify this intervention and the suspension of labour rights while others believe current economic conditions are being exploited by governments who are intent on rolling back rights.

Course No. 868A, Unit: 2

Dates: March 12 & 19


Phone: 905-682-2611 ext. 238  

In 2011 hundreds of protesters in almost 100 cities spread across 80 countries occupied and camped in public spaces in a demonstration aimed at resolving economic and social inequality. The Occupy Movement was launched with a September 2011 demonstration against Wall Street in New York and quickly spread around the globe including an encampment in Toronto in October. This one session course will explore the origins of the Occupy Movement including a discussion of the issues that motivated it, movement goals, leadership structure, tactics, and the next steps. This course will feature Lana Goldberg, an activist who was heavily involved in the Occupy Toronto encampment at St James Park. She was one of 5 Occupy activists who were represented in the movementââ‚,¬â„,¢s court challenge to the City of Torontoââ‚,¬â„,¢s eviction of occupiers from St James Park.

Course No. 865A, Unit: 1
Date: Monday March 26


Phone: 905-682-2611 ext. 238  

We will be holding a graduation ceremony and reception at McMaster University on Saturday June 23rd for those students who have complete the courses necessary for graduation at the end of this term. Please join us in celebrating your achievement.

We have a full day of events planned including an afternoon seminar, evening graduation ceremony followed by a reception at McMaster University Faculty Club for you and a guest.

Hotel accommodation and a shuttle service to the graduation and reception will be provided for Saturday night.

More details about the graduation day will be communicated over the next few months.

199 members who would like to know what courses they need to complete to graduate should contact Peter Scott 905-682-2611 ext 238


Phone: 905-682-2611 ext. 238  

In this special course offering students will have an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned in the classroom throughout their studies in the CAW-McMaster Labour Studies Certificate. We will discuss how the knowledge gained can be used in other activities and in further education.

The course will combine plenary sessions, guest speakers and small discussion groups. A keynote speaker will be confirmed.

This course is scheduled for the afternoon of June 23 at McMaster University and is open only to students who have completed the graduation requirements for the CAW/McMaster Labour Studies Certificate.

Course No. 866Unit: 1

We strongly encourage all graduates to plan to register for this important afternoon course. More details about this session will be communicated over the next few months.


Phone: 905-682-2611 ext. 238