Fall 2026
A course on the theory, history, and practice of organizing. Weekly readings, slides, and discussion materials are available on the course page.
Course materialsWhat is class, and who makes up the different classes in Canada? This biweekly discussion and writing group will work through that question together. Every two weeks, we’ll disc...
Study materials: Canadian Class Structure - Discussion + Writing GroupIn this session, we’ll develop an understanding of strategy and tactics in the context of the battle between the working class and the capitalist class. Here, we’ll be discussin...
View session: The Battle of the ClassesIn this session, we’ll develop an understanding of what it means to be a fighting political organization! We’ll discuss the necessity of organization in challenging the ruling c...
View session: Organizing the PeopleIn post-war Rome, Antonio finally finds a job, only to have the bicycle he needs for work stolen. As he and his young son search the city, Bicycle Thieves asks what happens when...
Event details: Cinema & Struggle: Bicycle ThievesIn this session, we’ll learn about the nature of leadership of the masses by political organizations. In particular, we’ll discuss the nuances of the mass line method of politic...
View session: Movement Leadership & Unity and StruggleIn this session, we’ll learn about the necessity of consciousness raising as a part of class struggle. Together, we’ll talk about the different forms that consciousness-raising ...
View session: Raising ConsciousnessNo upcoming events announced. Check back for new dates.
In this session, we’ll make the leap from production to class struggle. We’ll identify the different roles and relationships that people have in the social production process an...
View session: Do You Have Class (In Your Analysis)?Starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, 9 to 5 follows three office workers who are fed up with their sexist boss and decide to turn the tables on him. Join us for a ...
Event details: Cinema & Struggle: 9 to 5Our first General Membership meeting: share updates from organizing around the city, hear updates from us, and make proposals for the People’s University Project.
Event details: General Membership MeetingIn this session, we’ll learn about imperialism, i.e. the monopoly stage of capitalism. We’ll talk about the relationship between the formation of monopolies and the rule of fina...
View session: Imperialism and the General Crises of CapitalismWhat is class, and who makes up the different classes in Canada? This biweekly discussion and writing group will work through that question together. Every two weeks, we’ll disc...
Study materials: Canadian Class Structure - Discussion + Writing GroupIn this session, we’ll discuss the economic laws of capitalist development and how they help explain its historical development. Make sure to put your algebra hat on because the...
View session: The Capitalist Production & Accumulation ProcessIn this session, we’ll begin to discuss political economy - what some might call the science of commodity production. This week is all about the historical processes that were n...
View session: The Birth of the Capitalist Mode of ProductionWhat is class, and who makes up the different classes in Canada? This biweekly discussion and writing group will work through that question together. Every two weeks, we’ll disc...
Study materials: Canadian Class Structure - Discussion + Writing GroupWhen a young boy known as Fool breaks into the home of his wealthy landlords hoping to find enough money to save his family from eviction, he discovers something far more distur...
Event details: Cinema & Struggle: The People Under The StairsIn this session, we’ll start to apply our understanding of science so that we can approach the study of society (and its motion; i.e. history) scientifically. We’ll develop a co...
View session: Toward a Science of SocietyIn this session, we’ll explore the meaning of science and discuss whether the scientific method can be meaningfully applied to the study of society. To do this, we’ll try to ans...
View session: Thinking ScientificallyWhat is class, and who makes up the different classes in Canada? This biweekly discussion and writing group will work through that question together. Every two weeks, we’ll disc...
Study materials: Canadian Class Structure - Discussion + Writing GroupBased on the book of the same name, the film follows a group of youngsters that take extreme actions to address the existing climate crisis. The film brings up important questio...
Event details: Cinema & Struggle: How to Blow up a PipelineI Love Boosters is a recently released absurdist crime comedy film written and directed by Boots Riley, a famous activist, musician and director. The film follows a group of sho...
Event details: Cinema & Struggle: I Love BoostersNo Other Choice is a 2025 South Korean black comedy thriller film co-written and directed by master filmmaker Park Chan-wook. Based on the 1997 crime novel The Ax by Donald E. W...
Event details: Cinema & Struggle: No Other ChoiceWhere does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City’s Africa...
Event details: Cinema & Struggle: Paris is BurningWhen the communist government raises food prices in 1962, the rebellious workers from the small industrial town of Novocherkassk go on strike. The massacre which then ensues is ...
Event details: Cinema & Struggle: Dear ComradesNo past events listed yet.
This Summer, the People’s University is launching Code Against the Machine, a 13-week course about coding, statistics, and political economy. This summer we’ll be developing our...
Study materials: Code Against the Machine Session 6At our next study we will take a look at contemporary “Culture Wars” and discuss the approach we could take towards them. Join us at Surrey Central Library to learn more Locati...
Study materials: Turn the Culture war into class warThis Summer, the People’s University is launching Code Against the Machine, a 13-week course about coding, statistics, and political economy. This summer we’ll be developing our...
Study materials: Code Against the Machine Session 5This Summer, the People’s University is launching Code Against the Machine, a 13-week course about coding, statistics, and political economy. This summer we’ll be developing our...
Study materials: Code Against the Machine Session 4This Summer, the People’s University is launching Code Against the Machine, a 13-week course about coding, statistics, and political economy. This summer we’ll be developing our...
Study materials: Code Against the Machine Session 3This Summer, the People’s University is launching Code Against the Machine, a 13-week course about coding, statistics, and political economy. This summer we’ll be developing our...
Study materials: Code Against the Machine Session 2Screenings, study groups and Organizer School. Times are in Vancouver (Pacific time).
No events listed for this month. Check another month or the shared calendar.
Film screenings & political discussion
A regular space to watch films, meet people and discuss the political questions they raise.
About the series & screenings →The committee’s tasks are tentative and can develop with the group.
The People's University Project is a political education and organizing project in greater Vancouver. Our work includes the study of society, public discussions, and support for working-class organizing.
