Australian History, 1946.

Victorian Labor College Syllabus, 1946.

by the Victorian Labor College

Source: "Reason in Revolt", Source documents of Australian Radicalism.
First Published: in The Forty-Hour Week, Victorian Labor College, Melbourne, 1946.
Transcription/HTML: by Kevin Goins.
Public Domain: Marxists Internet Archive (2007). You may freely copy, distribute, display and perform this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit “Marxists Internet Archive” as your source.


VICTORIAN LABOR COLLEGE

FOUNDED 1917

*

CONTROLLED by AFFILIATED TRADE UNIONS
and the TRADES HALL COUNCIL
for the purpose of Independent Working Class Education.

*
CLASSES FOR 1946


TERM BEGINS MARCH 19


Economics - - - Fortnightly—Tuesdays, 8 p.m.
beginning March 19th
Class Leader: A. T. BRODNEY

Industrial History - Fortnightly—Tuesdays, 8 p.m.
Beginning March 26th
Class Leader: MARY HOLDSWORTH

Current World Politics - Fortnightly—Thursdays, 8 p.m.
Beginning March 21st
Class Leader: E. TRIPP

Public Speaking and English - Bi-monthly, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 8 p.m.
Beginning 12th and 26th June
Class Leader: T. W. BRENNAN



All Classes are Held at Trades Hall

Unionists:
THESE ARE YOUR CLASSES.  UNIONS SUPPORT THEM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THEM.  THERE ARE NO FEES.

Further information can be obtained from May Brodney
Secretary, Box 39, Trades Hall, Melbourne.  Phone: WX1686

 


THE ECONOMICS OF CAPITALISM

CLASS LEADER: A. T. BRODNEY

Object of course: To show the relation between the social and political structure of society and the technical processes of industry, particular attention being given to the character and rate of change in these.

1. The economics of Free Production for the Market.
2. The growth and nature of monopolies and the economic and political results.
3. State interference in industry—
     (a) In War;
     (b) In Peace.
     Nature for and results of interference.
4. Nature and extent of the market in Australia, England, and Soviet Russia.
5. Prospects of a return to a free market in the light of the economic law of movement of capitalism.
6. Analysis of money reform proposals.
7. The Socialist criticism of capitalist production and distribution.
8. Proposals for reconstruction.

 

EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE IN INDUSTRY
(Short Course in Industrial History)

CLASS LEADER: MARY HOLDSWORTH

The object of this course is to explain the relations between people while engaged in securing food, clothing, shelter, and recreation.  This is obviously an historical question.  The course will show how these relations have changed in the past, and what is making for the new relations today.

Main Points:
1. A broad sketch of industrial relations and facts today and how these came to be.
2. The elements and causes of change—the hindrances to change—the resulting rate of change.
3. Whither?

Special Questions for Discussion:
1. The origin of modern working and employing classes.
2. The organisation of employees in unions, particularly in Australia.
3. The methods of unions.
4. Industrial legislation.
5. The growth of machinery and enterprises.  Amalgamations, Monopolies.
6. Imperialism.
7. The failure of individualism in industry.

 


CURRENT WORLD POLITICS

CLASS LEADER: E. TRIPP

Objective:
     To develop in the student the art of analysis of world events from the viewpoint of scientific socialism.  To know the reason for political moves and their effect on world affairs.  To understand the relationship of forces, and work out working class tactics for each situation.

Introductory:
1.How to make a political analysis.  The superiority of Marxian analysis over all other political thought.
2. Soviet Russia today.  The part it plays in world affairs.
3. The aftermath of world war.  The fight against fascism.  The struggle of “free” movements in France, Belgium, Greece, Poland, etc.
4. Colonial world in ferment.  India, Indonesia.
5. Efforts at stablishing Capitalism: Bretton Woods, America Loans to Britain, Empire Conference, U.N.O.
6. Japan's defeat.  Atom Bomb or Socialism.
7. Analysis of strikes in Australia.  The fight for 40 hours.  Significance of the Labor Party victory at election.  The coming Federal elections.
8. Preparation of paper by students on international situation.

 

PUBLIC SPEAKING AND ENGLISH

CLASS LEADER: T. W. BRENNAN

This class does not begin until June.  This gives students an opportunity to study at other classes.  The student will find that this is a big advantage as practical work in public speaking is a feature of the class work in its early stages, and material gathered at other classes is essential.

Mr. Brennan is exceptionally gifted in the art of making all students feel at their ease in addressing the class, and even if you have had previous difficulty in addressing meetings you will find that this difficulty is soon overcome.

You will receive points on platform speaking, debates, taking part in your union and A.L.P. meetings, as well as guidance in English and pronunciation.

 


Classes Meet in Room 42, Trades Hall, Melbourne.