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IDRL 320 course cover

Industrial Relations (IDRL) 320
Labour Law in Canada (Revision 3)

View previous syllabus.

Delivery mode: Individualized study online or
grouped study.**

Credits: 3 - Applied Studies (Business and Administrative Studies). IDRL 320 can also be used to fulfill the Social Science area of study (credential students only).

Prerequisite: None. IDRL 312 is strongly recommended.

Centre: Faculty of Business

IDRL 320 has a Challenge for Credit option.

**Note: Students registering in grouped study, or grouped study international mode are advised that there may be some differences in the evaluation and course materials information indicated below. To obtain the most up-to-date information, contact the Faculty of Business Student Support Centre at 1-800-468-6531.

Overview

IDRL 320 is a senior-level introductory course that examines the legal framework of labour relations and collective agreements, introducing such areas as:

  • the background and definitions of labour law
  • the history and present position of the Canadian labour movement
  • the role of government institutions in shaping and administration of the law and industrial relations policy
  • the sources of labour law
  • the law relating to collective relations, which includes trade unions and their organizations
  • the right to organize
  • the collective bargaining process
  • industrial conflict
  • the nature and administration of collective agreements

This course is written primarily for non-lawyer practitioners, trade unionists and their representatives, managers, employers, and employees, who are involved in workplaces where collective bargaining is practiced. It is intended for those whose work requires a detailed understanding of the law governing labour relations including collective bargaining, as well as those who just want to further their understanding of this important area of study.

Outline

Unit 1: The Background of Labour Law

Unit 2: Collective Labour Relations: Trade Unions

Unit 3: The Right to Organize

Unit 4: Legal Recognition of Collective Bargaining Rights

Unit 5: The Collective Bargaining Process

Unit 6: Industrial Conflict

Unit 7: Collective Agreements, the International Framework, and Conclusions

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Evaluation

To receive credit for IDRL 320, you must obtain a mark of at least “D” (50 percent) on the final examination and a composite course grade of at least “D” (50 percent). The weighting of the composite course grade is as follows. 

Assignment 1 10%
Assignment 2 15%
Assignment 3 15%
Assignment 4 15%
Online Discussions 15%
Final Exam 30%
Total 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Note: Examinations for this course are taken online, and must be taken at an invigilated location. It is your responsibility to ensure a computer with an Internet connection and Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher is available for your use at the invigilation centre.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Carter, D., England, G., Etherington, B. & Trudeau, G. (2002). Labour law in Canada (5th ed.). Toronto: Butterworths. ISBN 0-433-43012-5

Sack, J. & Poskanzer, E. (1984). Labour law terms: A dictionary of Canadian labour law. Toronto: Lancaster House. ISBN 0-920450-01-6

Other Materials

Understanding the Unionization Decision, by A. C. Frost and D. G. Taras, is included in the course package as a print reading for Unit 1.

All other materials are available online from the course Web site and the Digital Reading Room.

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