Applied Studies (Business and Administrative Studies) or Social Science. IDRL 215 can be used to fulfill the Social Science area of study by credential students only.
Prerequisites:
None
Course start date:
If you are a:
Self-funded student: register by the 10th of the month, start on the 1st of the next.
Welcome to IDRL 215: Introduction to Labour Relations. It is an introduction to the economic, legal, political, and social aspects of union-management relations, and serves as a foundation for other IDRL courses. Specifically, it looks at contemporary issues in labour relations and examines union organization and structure, labour legislation, and how collective agreements are negotiated and administered. It does so within the context of exploring the nature of employment and the key theoretical perspectives that inform the study of labour relations.
Outline
IDRL 215 is divided into four units and 15 lessons, each covering a specific aspect of labour relations. The following list outlines the lessons and required learning activities.
Unit 1: Foundations
Lesson 1: What is Labour Relations?
Lesson 2: The Employment Relationship
Lesson 3: Role of the State
Lesson 4: Perspectives in Labour Relations
Unit 2: Unions
Lesson 5: History of the Canadian Labour Movement
Lesson 6: Union Structure and Rationale
Lesson 7: Unions in Theory and Practice
Unit 3: Labour Relations Process
Lesson 8: Organizing and Certification
Lesson 9: Bargaining
Lesson 10: Conflict Resolution
Lesson 11: Collective Agreements and Grievance Arbitration
Lesson 12: Public Sector Labour Relations
Unit 4: Labour Relations in the 21st Century
Lesson 13: Globalization
Lesson 14: Contemporary Issues in Labour Relations
Lesson 15: The Future of Unions
Learning outcomes
After completing IDRL 215, you should be able to
Explain how the labour market operates and how it affects the distribution of power in employment relationships.
Describe the role of the state and its interventions in the employment relationship.
Define, compare and contrast the key theoretical perspectives in labour relations and how the perspectives shape the practice of labour relations.
Explain the underlying logic of trade unionism, the structure of the labour movement and the practice of unionism in Canada.
Outline the key steps in the labour relations process from certification through bargaining, conflict resolution and administration of the collective agreement.
Identify how public sector labour relations differs from other forms of labour relations.
Identify and discuss contemporary issues facing labour relations practitioners and researchers.
Evaluation
To receive credit for IDRL 215, you must pass the Final Examination and achieve an overall course grade of at least a D (50 percent).Any assignments that are not submitted will receive a zero. The assignments and the final examination are weighted as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
5%
Assignment 2
15%
Assignment 3
10%
Assignment 4
30%
Assignment 5
5%
Final Online Exam
35%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
McQuarrie, Fiona A.E. (2015). Industrial Relations in Canada, 4th ed. John Wiley & Sons Canada. (eText)
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.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the IDRL 215 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.