Industrial Relations (IDRL) 320

Overview

IDRL 320 examines the legal frameworks related to work and employment in Canada. It covers all aspects of work law in an integrated and accessible fashion, including common law, employment law affecting all workplaces, and labour law addressing unionized workplaces. The course is designed to teach the subject in a non-legalistic manner for practitioners of human resources and labour relations, and those wishing to know more about the law of work.

Course Learning Outcomes

IDRL 320 is a senior-level course examining the framework of law related to work and employment in Canada, including common law, employment law and labour law. After completing IDRL 320, you should be able to

• Describe the historical origins of work law in Canada and the political and economic context that shapes it.
• Explain the central principles and concepts that define employment in Canada.
• Outline the key features of common law as it applies to employment.
• Identify the central rights and obligations stipulated in statutory and regulatory employment law.
• Describe the legal framework of Canada’s collective bargaining regime.
• Summarize important recent jurisprudence that is shifting employment law in Canada.
• Discuss international law and how it applies to Canada.
• Consider the implications of emerging work patterns to work law.

Outline

• Unit 1: Introduction to Work law
• Unit 2: Common Law
• Unit 3: Employment law
• Unit 4: Labour Law
• Unit 5: International Law and the Future of Work Law

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.

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

Course Materials

All materials are available online at the course website and in the Digital Reading Room. In addition to your online materials, your course package also includes the following resources:

Textbook

Challenge for Credit Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.

Full information about Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the IDRL 320 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.

Online Examination

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form