Linfield College
Spring 2007
Business 408 (Labor Legislation)
INSTRUCTOR: Craig Cowan
PHONES: 503-378-5611 (W)
503-370-7288 (H)
EMAIL: desertfox49@msn.com
REQUIRED TEXT
John Budd, Labor Relations: Striking a Balance (2005)
There will be supplemental readings during selected weeks of the semester. Internet addresses and instructions in how to access these readings will be posted on the Supplemental Reading Page. In addition, you will be able to find supplemental readings on a separate page that will outline your tasks for the week. On selected weeks there will be posted a short lecture on the weekly topic that you will be able to find on the Lectures Page.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the study of labor relations. Employers and unions operate within an industrial relations system. We will review what constitutes an industrial relations system and what makes up its component parts. The industrial relations framework will help us to look at the different models of workplace governance within the United States.
We will then turn our attention to the history and structure of the United States labor movement. Our focus will next be drawn to the law and how it influences and impacts employers and unions. We will examine how unions organize workers and how employers respond to such organizing campaigns. We will learn about the goals and strategies of employers and unions as they build a working relationship with each other. Careful review will be made on how these goals and strategies are implemented through what employers and unions bargain, how they resolve disputes and administer the negotiated agreement.
Finally, we will turn our focus to alternate approaches for unions and employers in a labor relations environment and how labor policy can balance efficiency, voice and equity in the workplace.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course are to give the student a keen appreciation and clear understanding between the legal, historical, social, psychological and economic forces and how these factors shape the labor/management relationship in this country.
COURSE FORMAT
This is an online course. As such, we will meet weekly through the WebCT to discuss current events and to discuss selected topics that are based on the reading assignment(s).
Starting with the second week and continuing thereafter for the balance of the semester each of you shall share a current event with class and myself. Although all of you will be required to submit a current event to me every week by email, each week one or more of you will be assigned to share your current event with the entire class. During the first week of class I will email the weekly assignments. All current events must relate to some aspect of labor relations as reported in the media (i.e. newspapers, magazines, television, journals or the internet). You will identify the source of the information and will be expected to accurately and briefly describe the event, why you selected that event to report and why the event has importance in labor relations. You will be expected to write at least two threads responding to the presentation.
Starting with the first week and continuing thereafter for the balance of the semester I will post 1-2 questions for discussion/case analysis. It is expected that each of you actively participate in these weekly discussions and debate and freely express your opinion concerning the discussion topic. I expect each of you to make pertinent and substantive contributions each week during classroom discussion. It is expected that you will post at least 2 threads for each discussion question.
The posting of current events and discussion questions will start each Monday at 10PM and end the following Monday at 9:59PM. Your responses will continue for the same time period.
Weekly writing assignments will be posted on Monday of each week no later than 10:00PM and must be submitted no later than the following Monday by 9:59PM. No late submissions will be allowed. Normally, these writing assignments will be a combination of essay, short answer and case review and analysis. All weekly writing assignments must be emailed. They must be in 12 point font and not exceed 5 pages for each question. Except for corresponding with classmates, you are free to use the text, supplemental readings and make use of any library or electronic source for additional information to help craft a response to the question. Where you use resources outside the text and supplemental readings, it is expected that you cite the sources used.
Schedule[1]
Week # and Dates Topic Text
1 - February 19 - 26 Introduction & Contemporary Labor Relations: Objectives, Practices and Challenges Chapter 1. Supp. Readings
2 - February 26 - March 5 Labor Unions: Good or Bad Chapter 2
3 - March 5 - 12 Labor Relations Outcomes: Individuals and Environment Chapter 3
4 - March 12 - 19 Historical Development Chap.4,14 (468-479) Supp. Readings
5 - March 19 - 26 Labor Law Chapter 5,10 (324-327) Supp. Readings
6 - March 26 - April 2 Spring Break-No Class
7 - April 2 - 9 Labor & Management: Strategies, Structure & Rights Chapter 6. Supp. Readings
8 - April 9 - 16 Union Organizing Chapter 7. Supp. Readings
9 - April 16 - 23 Collective Bargaining Chapter 8. Supp. Readings
10 - April 23 - 30 Impasse, Strikes & Dispute Resolution Chapter 9
11- April 30 - May 7 Administering the Contract Chapter 10
12 - May 7 - 14 Management/Union Approaches to the Changing Structure of Work Chapter 11. Supp. Readings
13 - May 14 - 21 What Should Labor Relations Do? Chapter 14 pp. readings
14 - May 21 - 24 Finals Week* [1] All dates and implied extent of coverage are approximate. The instructor reserves the right to adjust breath and depth of coverage at his sole discretion.
* This course has no final examinationMETHODS OF EVALUATION
Grading: The final course grade will be determined by the following:
Current Events 10%
Class Participation 30%
Weekly Writing Assignments 60%
Grading Scale: I don’t grade on a curve. If your score is within .5 of the next highest grade, I reserve the option to assign the higher grade but this is not a promise and will be used only in exceptional circumstances based on the entire body of work in the class.
A 94-100 C 73-76
A- 90-93 C- 70-72
B+ 87-89 D 65-69
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
Late Work: No late work will be accepted.
Incompletes: A grade of Incomplete (I) is given only in emergency situations. You must request an Incomplete in writing and must obtain my prior written permission. All uncompleted work must be completed within the time limits set.
Course Policies: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any one found to be engaging in either of these activities at any point in the course will receive a failing grade for the entire course and may be subject to further college sanctions.
This class should be a safe place to discuss, argue and disagree on a topic we are discussing. I expect us to treat each other with civility, courtesy and respect. Ethnic slurs, swearing, threats, disparaging remarks about any gender or group will not be tolerated. This course is not a forum for proselytizing and it is not a soapbox for diatribes from anyone.
Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations who have any emergency information the instructor should know of, or who need special arrangements should make an appointment with me as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term.
Part of my job is to help you in this course. If you are having problems with the course, please let me know as soon as possible. I’m always available to help you but I have to know about the problem while it is going on not later when time and options are fewer. You can reach me at anytime by email. You can call me at anytime but no later than 10:00PM on weekdays and 6:00PM on weekends.