L314 Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace (3cr.)
This courses explores the ethical decision-making and behavior in a unionized workplace, based on the values and social justice mission of unions. Students will examine what constitutes ethical standards on issues such as affirmative action, transparency, membership involvement, and democratic procedures. This includes the philosophical and theoretical bases for ethics and discussions on the relationship between law and ethics in dealing with workplace conflict.
L315 The Organization of Work (3 cr.)
This course examines how work is organized and how jobs are evaluated, measured, and controlled. It explores social and technical elements of work through theories of scientific management, the human relations school of management, and contemporary labor process literature.
L320 Grievance Arbitration (3 cr.)
(Recommended only after L220 or with permission of instructor.) This course explores the legal and practical context of grievance arbitration, and its limitations and advantages in resolving workplace problems. Varieties of arbitration clauses and the status of awards are also explored. Students analyze research, prepare, and present cases in mock arbitration hearings.
L330 Global Comparisons: Labor Relations Examples from Three Continents (3 cr.)
This course uses a political economy framework to explore and compare countries’ systems of labor relations, drawing from at least three continents. It analyzes the diverse approaches to the structure of twenty-first century labor law and social policy. It focuses on the role of organized labor in the global economy, patterns of breakdown in the enforcement of labor and employment law, and union and nonunion political and bargaining responses.
L331 Global Problems, Local Solutions (3 cr.)
This course addresses local manifestations of global problems confronting society, workers, and the labor movement. Students will cooperatively analyze issues, propose potential solutions, and engage in activities or practices that address globally driven local issues. Students will identify governmental, non-governmental, and charitable organizations that aid in ameliorating local problems. As a final project, students will design collaborative solutions based on our contemporary global situation in which work is characterized by flexibility, insecurity, and geographic mobility.
L350 Issues in Collective Bargaining (3 cr.)
This course focuses on selected topics in collective bargaining and will include readings and discussions on workplace issues that may be remedied through the collective bargaining process. A research paper is usually required.
L360 Union Administration and Development (1-3 cr.)
This course covers practical and theoretical perspectives on strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational decision making. It addresses the needs and problems of union leaders by studying organizational change, staff development, and cohesiveness within a diverse workforce. This course may be repeated for up to 3 credits with department approval.
L370 Labor and Religion (3cr.)
This course examines the relationship between religion and the labor movement as it has developed in the United States over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries. Students will analyze the approach taken by religious institutions concerning workers’ issues and assess the tradition in which workers of faith connect to more secular concerns for social and economic justice.
L380 Theories of the Labor Movement (3 cr.)
This course examines various perspectives on the origin, development, and goals of organized labor. Theories include those that view the labor movement as a business union institution, an agent for social reform, a revolutionary force, a psychological reaction to industrialization, a moral force, and an unnecessary intrusion.
L385 Class, Race, Gender, and Work (3 cr.)
This course provides a historical overview of the impact and interplay of class, race, and gender on shaping U.S. labor markets, organizations, and policies. It examines union responses and strategies for addressing class, race, and gender issues.
L390 Topics in Labor Studies (3 cr.)
This is a variable-title course. L390 can be repeated for credit with different subjects. The transcript will show a different subtitle each time the course is taken. Some courses focus on contemporary or special areas of labor studies. Others are directed toward specific categories of employees and labor organizations. Inquire at Labor Studies offices.
L390 Women and Development (3 cr.)
This online course provides an overview of the field of women, gender, and development in low-income nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and will cover the main debates in this field, including the ways in which gender relations within households and communities affect women's employment and working conditions; the differential impact of globalization on women and men in agriculture, the informal work, and the formal labor force; health issues, population control, climate change, and migration as seen through a gender lens; and effects of global financial crises on women.
L390 The Industrial Workers of the World: Labor History Seminar (3 cr.)
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) represented an alternative to the conservative and legalistic tradition in US trade unions. Organized in 1905, it spearheaded labor organization among workers left out of the craft-unionist American Federation of Labor. This course is an upper-level seminar which will examine the history of the IWW as a facet of labor history and the history of radical social movements in the United States.
L410 Comparative Labor Movements (3 cr.)
This course helps uses historical, analytical, and comparative perspectives to examine labor movements and labor relations in industrial societies. It also emphases interactions between unions and political organizations, national labor policies, the resolution of workplace problems, the organization of white collar employees, and the issues of worker control and codetermination.
L420 Labor Studies Internship (1-6 cr.)
This course applies classroom knowledge in the field. L420 may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
L430 Labor Research Methods (3 cr.)
This course focuses on the study of research design, methods, techniques, and procedures applicable to research problems in labor studies.
L480 Senior Seminar or Readings (3 cr.)
This course can be used as a classroom seminar or directed reading course. It addresses current issues, historical developments, and other labor-related concerns. Topics may vary each semester.
L490 Topics in Labor Studies (1-3 cr.)
This is a variable-title course. L490 can be repeated for credit with different subjects. The transcript will show a different subtitle each time the course is taken. Some courses focus on contemporary or special areas of labor studies. Others are directed toward specific categories of employees and labor organizations. Inquire at Labor Studies offices.
L495 Directed Labor Study (1-6 cr.)
This is a variable credit course. L495 may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. Students arrange to study with an individual labor studies faculty member, designing a course of study to suit their individual and varied needs and interests. The contract might include reading, directed application of prior course work, tutorials, or internships. Competencies are assessed through written papers, projects, reports, or interviews.
L499 Self-Acquired Competency in Labor Studies (1-15 cr.)
See description in this bulletin for a description of self-acquired competency.