Course Title: Industrial Relations A

Part A: Course Overview

Course ID: 001318

Course Title: Industrial Relations A

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
BUSM1044	City Campus	Postgraduate	630H Management	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007

Course Coordinator: Dr Cathy Brigden

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3

Course Coordinator Email: cathy.brigden@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Admission into Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations or Master of Business Leadership or equivalent

Course Description

This course aims to provide an introduction to the study of industrial relations, and familiarise students with the key processes, parties and institutions in Australian industrial relations. The course requires exploration of industrial relations theories, concepts and practice and the nature and relevance of industrial relations. The course also offers an opportunity to develop ability to critically analyse the influence of economic, political, legal, cultural and social factors on industrial relations generally and in particular workplaces.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On completion of this course, you should:
• Understand the nature of industrial relations and the influence of economic, political, legal, cultural and social factors
• Understand the ideas, assumptions and values that underpin the theory and practice of industrial relations
• Be able to identify, explain and distinguish between theoretical approaches used in studying industrial relations
• Understand the roles and practices of the parties in the Australian industrial relations system
• Recognise the role played by the state in industrial relations
• Be aware of current legislative developments, their origins, and the impact on the industrial relations system and the parties therein, and
• Understand the relationship between the nature of work and patterns of industrial relations

Overview of Learning Activities

A variety of activities, both individual and group, will be drawn upon to help you reach the learning outcomes listed above.

Specific activities include interactive lecture sessions and participation in seminar discussions and activities. Another component of the seminar process involves small group work and individual/group oral presentation and facilitation.

A crucial aspect of the learning activities is your ability to use the recommended readings as a basis for developing your command of the course material. You will also be expected to use the Library and other resources such as the Web to access relevant information

Overview of Learning Resources

The resources for the course comprise a textbook, readings, books and relevant journals – hard copy and electronic.

A DLS site will be created on which lecture notes, additional references, web links and other relevant resources will be placed.
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Overview of Assessment

The assessment in this course is concerned with your ability to:
• understand the theoretical issues and concerns of the industrial relations field;
• understand contemporary issues affecting government, unions, employer groups, employers and employees, and
• be able communicate concepts and issues to others in both oral and written forms.

Your ability to meet these concerns will be highlighted through the completion of assignments which require you to understand relevant literature in the subject area and demonstrate an ability to relate research findings to everyday issues.

Specific assessment tasks may include:
• An individual research essay
• A group-based assignment
• Analysis of a contemporary industrial relations issue