LABOR RELATIONS
BA 331
ELL 216
MWF: 1:00 1:50 p.m.
Class Hours: 3.0 Instructor: Dr. Carol Decker
Credit Hours 3.0 Office
Hours: MWF:
MW: 2:00-3:00
MW: 4:30 5:00
Other Hours by Appointment
Course Syllabus Office Location: ELL 205
Fall 2008 Phone: 423-746-5270
Revised: 8/13/08 E-mail: cdecker@twcnet.edu
Web Page Address: http://www.twcnet.edu/cdecker
(Check for Syllabi, Assignment, Announcements, &
Updates)
AOL
Instant Messaging is Available for Contact: Screen Name: deckca
TWC Strategic Plan 2000/Curriculum Goals
- Ensure
quality by creating an organizational structure which enhances academic
programs.
- Develop
programs which are consistent with our stated purpose and which are
consistent with the resources of the institution.
- Ensure
quality in existing programs by introducing concepts of
internationalization in the curriculum.
The Department of Business
Administration at
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: American labor history, structure and philosophy of contemporary unions, nature of collective bargaining, and dispute settlement.
PREREQUISITE: BA 321
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
· To explain the labor relations process
· To examine labor unions for their development, evolution, and their impact on legal precedence and management relationships
· To identify labor laws and their principles for handling workplace labor issues
· To identify the key participants in the labor relations process
· To explain the purpose of unions and the means of their origination in todays workforce
· To negotiate labor agreements through proper definition and structure
· To utilize economic, administrative, contract administration, arbitration, employee discipline, negotiation techniques to handle labor disputes
· To apply the labor relations process to different labor relations systems such as public, federal, and international systems
COURSE RELATIONSHIP TO BUSINESS PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE:
· This course enables students to:
o lead, serve, and graduate with effective communication skills that include reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
o be knowledgeable of religious beliefs and issues.
o recognize social and behavioral issues in a cultural perspective.
o demonstrate computer skills, and to discover the impact of technology
o appreciate contributions to life enrichment.
· This course is intended to support the Tennessee Wesleyan College Business Administration department by developing students intellectually, ethically, and socially in order for them to meet the demands of an ever-changing global society.
o This course is intended to prepare graduates to be knowledgeable, creative, and critical thinkers in business settings.
·
This course
supports Tennessee Wesleyan College-Wide Learning Outcomes and
COURSE RELATIONSHIP TO BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
· This course provides labor relations knowledge and the following skills:
o Application of labor relations processes in diverse business settings
o Application of administration, negotiation, and collective bargaining techniques in labor & union initiatives
o Critical thinking, and research capabilities in the labor relations field
TEXT/REQUIRED RESOURCES:
Budd (2008). Labor Relations: Striking a Balance (2nd ed.). McGraw Hill- Irwin
ADDITIONAL
Industrial and Labor Relations Review
Industrial Relations Systems
Wall Street Journal
Labor Law Journal
Journal of Applied Psychology
Journal of Labor Research
Personnel Psychology
Journal of Occupational Psychology
Business Week
New York Times
Monthly Labor Review
Other Labor Related Websites
METHODOLOGY OF INSTRUCTION: This course will consist primarily of
Labor Relations applications but will be supplemented with exams, lecture,
class/team exercises, games, case evaluations, and class discussions.
REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance: Class attendance is a reflection of your responsibility,
priorities, and the grade you receive in this course. Because the successful
completion of this course is tied to daily class material, any absence in this
class will result in a substantial loss of information and material for a
satisfactory evaluation. Class attendance indicates your enthusiasm toward
learning and will reflect on the grade you receive in this course. Class
attendance accounts for 5% of the course grade. If a student
misses more than 3 of the class sessions during the course, the points received
for attendance will be zero. If the student misses 1 or less of the
classes, the points received for attendance will be 4 out of the 5.
If you do have to miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to get notes, assignments, and exam/quiz information from a classmate NOT THE INSTRUCTOR. Absence is not an excuse!
Assignments: Assignments are due at the beginning of
class and on the due date or before if you anticipate an absence. Some
assignments are intended to support other assignments by giving you feedback
for improvement. THERE WILL BE NO
MAKEUPS FOR ASSIGNMENTS PERFORMED IN CLASS. All assignments should be
typewritten, complete, and professional in order to receive credit. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!!
Participation: Your participation in this course is critical
to the result you and others receive in this class. Participation will be
evaluated according to your attendance, assignments, and performance in
class/team exercises/ exam/quizzes, and discussions. Class activities may
include case discussions, problems, and concepts that will support class
material. Participation accounts for 5% of the grade in this course. In
other words, these 5 points may be added or deducted from the final grade based
on your positive or negative contributions to the course and your attendance at
class presentations. ANY ABSENCE DURING CLASS PRESENTATIONS WILL RESULT IN ZERO
PARTICIPATION POINTS.
Grading: The following grade scale will be utilized in this course. In order to achieve a certain level on this scale you must obtain the score indicated.
A.......... 94-100
A-
. 90-93
B+........ 87-89
B.......... 84-86
B-
. 80-83
C+........ 77-79
C.......... 74-76
C-
. 70-73
D+
67-69
D.........
64-66
D-
. 60-63
F...........Below 60
EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT:
Exams
(4)
..
40%
Negotiations Exercise & Notebook ........ ...30%
Union Review & Presentation ...20%(15/5)
Attendance/Participation. . . 10%
Exams: There will be (4) exams throughout the course. Exams will consist of multiple choice or short answer/essay questions covering the textbook, assignment, and material discussed in class. Study guides will be provided. NO MAKE UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN!!!! If you have to miss an exam for ANY reason, you are eligible for a cumulative "final" exam given during the final exam period.
Negotiations Exercise & Notebook: This exercise coincides with the text appendix and guidelines within will be adhered to. This exercise requires the use of proper negotiating and bargaining techniques in a labor setting. You will be assigned a team with responsibilities with the purpose of having hands on labor agreement bargaining. You will be required to perform research and present your cases as required. A professional notebook of the process is required.
Union
Review & Presentation: The Union Review papers are to be
written (word-processed) and individually completed according to APA style. The
paper, 1 margins, 11pt font, and double-spaced, should be between 5-7 pages
and submitted on the due date (See outline). You must determine an organized labor union on which to write your
paper and it must be approved by the instructor. Do not include
reference pages and title page or any other abstract as part of the page
criteria. Your paper will be graded on research, professionalism, and
creativity. All references should be no older than 5 years and should include
at least (5) academic references. Your textbook CANNOT be used as a
reference. Additional guidelines will be provided. An automatic 10 point
deduction will occur for not meeting the page number criteria. You will be
required to provide a 15 minute presentation on your paper and be prepared to
respond to questions.
Attendance/Participation: Please see attendance/participation guidelines above.
ASSESSMENT
MEASURES FOR COLLEGE-WIDE LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
Learning Outcome |
Measurement |
Assessment |
|
Use effectively the communication skills of reading,
writing, speaking, and listening |
Students will read required and assigned class
materials, write a union review paper, write labor negotiations and
agreements, prepare short answer/essay exam responses, participate in class
discussions and exercises, present union review papers, and listen to
presentations for the purpose of offering critical questioning. Students will
participate in interactive team decision making and present labor negotiation
issues within the union contract negotiation exercise. |
Exams, union contract negotiation and notebook,
attendance and participation, and a written union review paper and
presentation worth 100% of the total grade will be used to assess student
learning and class performance . |
|
Be knowledgeable of religious beliefs and issues,
the religious positions of others, and the choices with which religion
confronts them |
Students will read class materials regarding Labor
Law and Contract Clauses and Administration and apply the impact to labor
union practices. |
This material will be assessed through exams worth
40% and a negotiation exercise and notebook worth 40%. |
|
Recognize the issues that affect social and
political behavior in their historical and cultural perspective |
Students will read class materials regarding Historical
Labor Union Development, Labor Law and Contract Clauses and Administration
and apply the impact to labor union practices. |
This material will be assessed through exams worth
40% and a negotiation exercise and notebook worth 40%. |
|
Demonstrate mathematical and basic computer skills,
and discover the impact of science and technology |
Students will apply union contract budgeting and
costing methods using EXCEL spreadsheets to union negotiations. Students will
complete negotiations exercise and notebook and union review
paper/presentation utilizing a variety of computer skills and technologies. |
Mathematical, computer, and technology skills will
be assessed through exams, negotiations exercise and notebook, union review
paper and presentation worth 90% of the overall grade. |
|
Appreciate the contribution of the arts and
literature to life enrichment |
Students are expected to prepare negotiations
exercises and notebook, and union review paper supported by labor relations
research and artistic and creative skills. |
Negotiations exercise and notebook and union review
papers assess abilities in arts and literature at a
total percentage of 50% of their grade. |
CLINICAL/LABORATORY/FIELD EXPERIENCES: Students are expected to utilize outside resources (written and verbal) for completing the course, presentation, and papers. These assignments may involve discussions with individuals presently working in labor relations and other text readings related to labor relations that will support any statements made in written work.
NOTE: Academic Integrity (from TWC Catalog 2008-2009)
The Tennessee Wesleyan College Honor System promotes
academic integrity on the
A more complete discussion of the honor system may be found in the 2008-2009 Student Handbook.
Instructor Policy on Academic
Integrity: Any assignments found to violate the above will be considered as an
F without the possibility of make-up opportunities. Continued violations will result in an F for the course.
The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to
this schedule.
OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT
|
Week No./ Beginning Date |
Class Date and Scheduled
Topic |
Required Readings &
Assignments Due |
|
1. August 20 |
8/20 Introduction 8/22 Foundations |
Chapter 1; Unions |
|
2. August 25 |
8/25 Foundations 8/27 Foundations 8/29 Founsations |
Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Chapter 2 |
|
3. September 1 |
9/1 Labor Day 9/3 Foundations 9/5 Foundations |
Chapter 3 Chapter 3 |
|
4.
September
8 |
9/8 Foundations 9/10 Exam I 9/12 The System |
Chapter 3 Chapters 1-3 Chapter 4 |
|
5.
September
15 |
9/15 The System 9/17 The System 9/19 The System |
Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 |
|
6.
September
22 |
9/22 The System 9/24 The System 9/26 The System |
Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 |
|
7. September 29 |
9/29 The System 10/1 Exam II 10/3 The System |
Chapter 7 Chapters 4-7 Chapter
8 |
|
8. October 6 |
10/6 The System 10/8 The System 10/10 The System |
Chapter
8 Chapter 9 Chapter 9 |
|
9. October 13 |
10/13 The System 10/15 Exam III 10/17 Issues |
Chapter 10 Chapters 8-10 Chapter 11 |
|
10. October 20 |
10/20 Issues 10/22 Issues 10/24 Fall Break---No Class |
Chapter 11 Chapter 12 |
|
11. October 27 |
10/27 Issues 10/29 Reflection 10/31 Reflection |
Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 |
|
12. November 3 |
11/3 Exam IV 11/5 Negotiations 11/7 Negotiations |
Chapters 11-14 |
|
13.
November
10 |
11/10 Negotiations 11/12 Negotiations 11/14 Negotiations |
|
|
14.
November
17 |
11/17 Negotiations 11/19 Assessment Day---No Class 11/21 Negotiations |
|
|
15.
November
24 |
11/24 Negotiations 11/26 Thanksgiving 11/28 Thanksgiving |
|
|
16. December 1 |
12/1 Negotiations & Presentations
12/3 Negotiations & Presentations 12/5 Negotiations & Presentations |
|
|
17. December 8 |
12/10 Final Exam Period
1:30-3:30 p.m. |
Union Review Due |