FALL 2025

This year’s course offering is titled “The Past, Present and Future of Working in Hamilton” and will be taught by Dr. Stephanie Ross from McMaster’s School of Labour Studies.

Most of us, throughout most of our lives, will work. The kind of work we do has a profound impact on our economic security, our identities, and our place in the community. Each of us has a personal story of working, whether paid or unpaid, but that story is connected to what is happening in the world around us – economic development and decline, war, immigration, technological change, struggles for economic and social rights, and transformations in family life.

In Canada, Hamilton has always been at the centre of these transformations, making it an excellent place to examine our relationship to the past, present and future of work. In this course, we will examine our own experiences of working against the backdrop of an ever-evolving city, to see what we can learn about ourselves, the kinds of work that sustains us, and the possible futures of work we might face.

The course will feature 11 in-person sessions held on Saturdays between September and November on campus at McMaster. Each session will run from 10:30am-2:15pm, including a break for a shared lunch (with lunch provided).

Classes have been scheduled for the following Saturdays: September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (No class on October 11)

This course has been designed to encompass both in-class lectures and small discussions. In addition to participating in the class meetings, students will be encouraged to complete weekly readings as well as small assignments and a larger project.

Students are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they are able. If the student can attend a minimum of 9 sessions, they will receive a certificate recognizing their participation in the program. A graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 6 where the certificates will be presented.

To support students with their learning, course materials, lunch, volunteer childcare, and transportation will all be happily provided!

Course Materials – each student will receive all required materials, including all readings and supplies, as well as access to McMaster’s library.

Lunch & Snacks – lunch, snacks, coffee, and tea will be provided every class and help build community.

Volunteer Childcare – if required, on-site volunteer childcare is available for students.

*Volunteer childcare is only available for children over the age of 4 years and for up to a maximum of 5 children total (pending final approvals).

Transportation – transportation will be provided in the form of HSR bus tickets or on-site parking passes.

*Please note that transportation support is limited to students who are located in the Hamilton area and utilize the HSR bus system. If you live outside the Hamilton area or require a different method of transportation to attend the program, please contact the Program Coordinator.

Applications are currently closed. 

We are actively recruiting community members who love to learn but have experienced social, financial, attitudinal, or other barriers to access. If this program sounds interesting to you and you wish to apply, please complete and submit an application form.

Please note that the purpose of this application form is to gather more information about applicants. Eligibility for the McMaster Discovery Program is not based on the answers provided as we are not assessing or evaluating applicants’ responses.

The first 25 applicants to apply will be contacted by the Discovery Program Coordinator to schedule a conversation to ensure that this program is a good fit for you! This will also provide applicants with the opportunity to learn more about the program and ask questions.

Student Testimonials

“MDP was one of the best experiences I had in my education journey. I felt home and my classmates were like my family. We shared a lot about our journeys, we laughed, cried, and showed empathy to each other.”

MDP Graduate 2024

 

“This program has opened my eyes to other realities. It gave me the chance to connect not only to amazing people but McMaster itself.”

MDP Graduate 2024

“The Discovery Program is McMaster’s hidden gem, living proof that education, knowledge, re-inventing yourself have no boundaries. I savoured every moment of being part of this journey.”

MDP Graduate 2023

 

“Exceeds all expectations, life changing each and every week”

MDP Graduate 2023

 

“I really enjoyed the time spending in this course, learning about new and different topics and making new friendships and meeting people who have shared the same life experiences in Canada”

MDP Graduate 2023

“Never feel like you’re too old to go back to school; you won’t be disappointed with Discovery”

MDP Graduate 2019

 

“The Discovery Program has changed my life for the better”

MDP Graduate 2019

 

“Come and enjoy the experience of the McMaster Discovery Program. I loved every minute of it, and it was fun to learn from both instructors and other students.”

MDP Graduate 2019

Instructor Testimonials

“Teaching with the McMaster Discovery Program has been transformative for my entire outlook as a professor. Through getting to know Discovery students, I learned ways of shaping learning encounters that were responsive to student interests and capacities, that grew from student inquiry and creativity to energize my own learning in the classroom, and that built a community of learning that continues to inform and inspire me.”

Dr. Daniel Coleman, MDP Instructor 2011, 2012, 2023

“I loved teaching and learning from students in the Discovery Program.  We explored and exchanged ideas, discovered each other’s hidden talents and potential, and together became a community of learners.  What a wonderful, life-changing experience!”

Dr. Ann Herring, MDP Instructor 2013, 2014, 2015