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Labour, law and technology

Classes

Monday 13 January - Monday 24 March 2025, 6pm-7.30pm

10 sessions - Check class timetable

Overview

From the rapidly growing gig economy and the digital platforms to mass surveillance of the workforce through artificial intelligence, this short course, Labour, Law and Technology, gives you the opportunity to examine the disintegration and reshaping of labour relations as well as legal responses to such new challenges.

Labour law and labour protection have been facing challenges since their very inception. On this course we motivate you to consider how the law can balance a relation that is by design unfair - that between the labourer and the employer. We consider how the employer has a natural interest in maximising production and profit, as well as in directing, controlling and disciplining the workforce. On the other hand, the labourer has a right to decent working conditions, from working hours and fair wages to protection from dismissal. With the balance conventionally tipping in favour of the employer, we explore new opportunities, challenges and changing patterns that technology introduces into the tangible and digital workspace.

This postgraduate-level course is ideal if you have a professional or personal interest in the field of law. You will also find it of particular interest if you wish to enhance your career through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in this area. 

This course is assessed by a 4000-word summative essay (95%) and online participation in group work and discussion (5%).

30 credits at level 7

  • Entry requirements

    Entry requirements

    Most of our short courses have no formal entry requirements and are open to all students.

    This short course has no prerequisites.

    As part of the enrolment process, you may be required to submit a copy of a suitable form of ID.

    International students who wish to come to the UK to study a short course can apply for a Visitor visa. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Student visa to study a short course.

  • How to apply

    How to apply

    You register directly onto the classes you would like to take. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis - so apply early. If you wish to take more than one short course, you can select each one separately and then register onto them together via our online application portal. There is usually no formal selection process, although some modules may have prerequisites and/or other requirements, which will be specified where relevant.