Labor Studies

Area of Study Overview

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The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program, with an area of study in Labor Studies, prepares adults for career change, advancement, or graduate education, while providing personal enrichment. The program examines work, workers, the organizations workers create to defend their interests, and non-work phenomena that affect and are affected by workers. Students develop a broad general knowledge of the traditional liberal arts disciplines while developing a greater depth of knowledge of labor.

Degree Requirements

  • A minimum of 18 credits must be upper level, 3000 level or above, within the area of study.

Credit Distribution

I. General Education Featured Courses (45 Credits)

TESU Featured Courses are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.  For more information see About Our General Education Program.  To plan your program please contact an academic advisor.

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)

ENC-1010Writing for Success

3

ENC-1020Writing for Success II

3

COM-2090Public Speaking

3

MAT-1050Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics

3

SOS-1100Fact, Fiction, or Fake? Information Literacy Today

3

For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Intellectual and Practical Skills.

B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)

SOC-1010Our Changing World: An Introduction to Sociology

3

ETH-2200Leading the Way: A Path Towards Ethical Leadership

3

POS-1100American Government

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Civic and Global Leadership.

C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (15 Credits)

SOC-2100Marriage and the Family

3

HIS-1130American History I

3

FIL-1100Exploring American Cinema

3

Select two featured courses from the list below:
SOC-2910Criminology

3

HIS-1140American History II

3

HIS-1210Introduction to World History I

3

HUM-1030Introduction to the Humanities III: Music

3

PHI-1300Introduction to Critical Reasoning

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Knowledge of Human Cultures.

D. Scientific Knowledge (6 Credits)

EAS-1010General Earth Science

3

BIO-2080The Science of Nutrition

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Scientific Knowledge.

II. Area of Study (45 Credits)

A. Required Courses (12 Credits)

-TRSFR REQ.U.S. Labor History

3

-TRSFR REQ.Introduction to Labor Studies OR Work in Contemporary Society

3

-TRSFR REQ.Labor Economics

3

-TRSFR REQ.Labor Law

3

B. Labor Studies Electives (18 Credits)

APS-4000Occupational Safety and Health

3

-TRSFR REQ.Labor Studies Electives

15

C. Social Science Electives (12 Credits)

-Social Science Electives

12

Complete any 12 credits in the Social Science area.

D. Capstone (3 Credits)

LIB-4950Liberal Arts Capstone

3

III. Electives (30 Credits)

For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.

TRANSFER REQUIREMENT: TESU accepts credits in transfer from accredited institutions as well as non-collegiate providers. View information and resources on where you may find additional learning experiences.

Total Credit Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Labor Studies program will be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge of labor as a social, political, economic, and legal force in society;
  • explain the history and main principles of labor law in the United States;
  • articulate the main principles of labor economics, including applied theory;
  • demonstrate knowledge of the role of technology in the changing workplace;
  • identify the relationship between the labor movement and the struggles for civil rights and gender equality; and
  • identify the main theories and methodologies of labor studies.