SYLLABUS

LS 499:            Labor Relations:                                                                   Dr. Robert L. Gaylor

              Hope or Hopeless                                                               

 

Office:    4D Keith Hall                   Phone:   x7-4423       Email: Robert.Gaylor@iup.edu                                     

 

Texts:             Blue Collar, by Spencer, Lakeside Charter Books, 1977.  (BC)               

Table Talk, by Harty, EduPress, 1992.  (TT)                    

  General Information: The current American labor-management relationship has evolved from its historical and legislative foundations.  The picture painted by this evolution has often been blood red and painful to behold.

           This course will explore many questions concerning the current and future state of the labor relations process.  What is the current state of the relationship?  Why is management so resistant to unions?  Why do workers seem so resistant to unions?  Why do unions seem to commit economic suicide in striking?  What challenges face unions and corporations as they end the 20th century and begin the next?  How does politics affect the process and the parties?  Is labor management cooperation the answer?  Is there an answer?

We will look at history, law, ethics, and politics to try to ascertain some of these answers.  Norma Rae and Matewan will shed some light on our quest. Table Talk, by Harty will further assist exploration.  While some lecture will be part of the class, students will talk with people they know who are involved in the process in some manner and share that with the rest of us.  While exams will be used to measure your knowledge, your participation (or lack thereof) will also be used to gauge your understanding.

Basis of Grade:  There is no curving.

Exam I                                                       22 points                                                A = 91 and above

Final Exam                                                23 points                                                B = above 81 - 90.9

Participation                                            15 points                                                C = above 71 - 80.9

Presentation                                            20 points                                                D = above 61 - 70.9

2 Film Reviews                                       10 points each                                        F = Below 61

Examinations will be essay format (long and short questions).  They will test information from reading, films and lectures and require you to analyze the basis of your reactions to the issues raised in class. 

Participation will be based upon quality as well as quantity.  Simply talking a lot will not maximize your return.  Reading assigned materials will prepare you to discuss them.  Opinions are important here but the basis for these "feelings" must be supported by logic, not simply visceral reactions. 

The presentation will consist of a ten to fifteen minute presentation to the class.  It will be based on an interview(s) of someone you know/meet who is involved in the labor relations process in some way (negotiator, grievance handler, arbitrator, mediator, union officer, union member, etc.).  Presentations will begin on the ninth week and we will have five or six per class.  There will be no alteration of assigned presentation dates except for illness. 

You will prepare two film reviews.  Each will be at least three (3) pages long.  A minimum of one page each will be devoted to what happened, why it happened, and how you react to the film. 

 

ALL WORK MUST BE TYPED, SINGLE-SPACED.   GRAMMAR, SPELLING, ETC. COUNTS!

             Tentative Class Schedule

 

Date                                           Topic                                                                               Reading

 

Week 1                          Synthetic Thinking

Week 2                          History:  19th Century                                           "The River Ran Red"              

Week 3                          History:  20th Century                                           "Matewan"             

Week 4                          The Law

                              Assign Presentation Dates                                                BC 39 - 53

                              Review 1 Due

Week 5                          Organizing                                                                             BC  9 -  35

Week 6                          People:  What Happens To Them                                     BC  86 - 113

                                                                                                    "Norma Rae"          

Week 8                          Exam 1                                                                   

Week 9                          Emotions                                                                            TT 1 - 76

Week 10                        Unions                                                                                BC 117 - 133

                              Presentations Begin

Week 11                        Management                                                                   TT   77 - 138

Week 12                        Bargaining:  Issues                                                       TT 139 - 185

                                                                                                                           "The American Dream"

Week 13                        Bargaining:  Problems                                                     TT 186 - 225

                              Review 2 Due

Week 14                         Contracts: Disputes                                                      BC 134 - 184

                                                                                                        239 - 242

Week 15                         Exam 2

Honesty is essential in an academic environment.  Any student deemed to "cheat" during an exam or submit work that is not their own, new effort will receive a failing grade for the course.

 

SYLLFL02.499

revised:9/8/03