Course Title: Workplace Employment Relations

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Workplace Employment Relations

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
BUSM3114	City Campus	Undergraduate	630H Management	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011
BUSM3198	Singapore Inst of Management	Undergraduate	630H Management	Face-to-Face	Offsh 3 08, Offsh 1 09, Offsh 3 09, Offsh 1 10, Offsh 3 10, Offsh 1 11, Offsh 3 11

Course Coordinator: Dr. Ruth Barton

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99251442

Course Coordinator Email:ruth.barton@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 108.16.43

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

Course outline

The course places the workplace relationship in the context of globalisation and changing institutional and legal environments. It is focussed on developing your understanding of key issues influencing the experience of work and the factors driving new approaches to managing the workplace and work arrangements, including strategic choices at the corporate level. The course will examine some of the basic elements of workplace management including work organisation, employee representation and the negotiation of order within workplaces. Particular attention will be given to notions of work flexibility, looking at debates over working time, work/life balance, work intensification, skills utilisation and the idea of ‘emotional labour’.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Capabilities

This course will help you develop your ability to:
• contribute to decisions within diverse political, economic, environmental and social contexts
• communicate ideas, intentions and outcomes clearly to a variety of audiences
• engage with business activities in a disciplined and ethical manner

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the way in which the globalisation of economic exchange and production is shaping the workplace relationship;
• Describe and explain the impact of changing legal and institutional arrangements preferences on the regulation of work and employment;
• Demonstrate an understanding of theories of work organisation and their impact;
• Describe and explain ways in which employee interests and ideas can contribute to the management of the workplace;
• Examine and describe the impact of flexible work strategies on work patterns and experiences.

Overview of Learning Activities

The course will be presented in the form of lectures and seminar discussions over twelve weeks. You will develop an understanding of the issues and ideas covered in the lectures and the relevant research literature by undertaking such activities as case study work, participation in class discussions, completion of research essays and tests or examinations.

Overview of Learning Resources

You will have access to an online site with summaries of lectures, useful web links and links to a selection of essential reading material.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will normally include at least two pieces of assessment. these may include written assignments, examinations, class exercises or case study reports.