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Indiana University Northwest 2004-2006 Undergraduate Studies Online Bulletin Table of Contents

Indiana University Northwest 2004-2006 Undergraduate Studies Online Bulletin Course Descriptions

 
Indiana University
Northwest 2004-2006
Undergraduate Studies
Bulletin

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Labor Studies (LSTU)

Labor Studies courses are offered online (via Oncourse) to facilitate access for all students.

LSTU L100 Survey of Unions and Collective Bargaining (3 cr.)* A survey of labor unions in the United States, focusing on their organization and their representational, economic, and political activities. Includes coverage of historical development, labor law basics, and contemporary issues. (Core Course)

LSTU L101 American Labor History (3 cr.)* A survey of the origin and development of unions and the labor movement from colonial times to the present. The struggle of working people to achieve dignity and security is examined from social, economic, and political perspectives. (Core Course)

LSTU L110 Introduction to Labor Studies:Labor and Society (3 cr.) An introduction to the changing role of labor in society. The course will emphasize a comparative approach to issues confronting labor organizations. (Core Course)

LSTU L190 The Labor Studies Degree (1 cr.) Required for all Labor Studies majors. An introduction to the degree and preparation of plan of study.

LSTU L199 Portfolio Development Workshop (1 cr.) Emphasis on developing learning portfolios as foundation documents for academic self-assessment and planning and as applications for self-acquired competency (SAC) credit. Applies only as elective credit to labor studies degrees.

LSTU L200 Survey of Employment Law (3 cr.) Statutes and common law actions protecting income, working conditions, and rights of workers. Topics include workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, fair labor standards, social security, retirement income protection, privacy and other rights. (Core Course)

LSTU L201 Labor Law (3 cr.)* A survey of the law governing labor-management relations. Topics include the legal framework of collective bargaining; problems in the administration and enforcement of agreements; protection of individual rights to representation. (Core Course)

LSTU L203 Labor and the Political System (3 cr.)* Federal, state, and local governmental effects on workers, unions, and labor-management relations; political goals; influences on union choices of strategies and modes of political participation, past and present; relationships with community and other groups. (Core Course)

LSTU L205 Contemporary Labor Problems (3 cr.) An examination of some of the major problems confronting society, workers, and the labor movement. Topics may include automation, unemployment, international trade and conglomerates, environmental problems, minority and women's rights, community relations, changing government policies. (Core Course)

LSTU L210 Workplace Discrimination and Fair Employment (3 cr.) Examines policies and practices that contribute to workplace discrimination and those designed to eliminate discrimination. Explores effects of job discrimination and occupational segregation. Analyzes Title VII, ADA, and related topics in relation to broader strategies for addressing discrimination. (Core Course)

LSTU L220 Grievance Representation (3 cr.)* Union representation in the workplace. The use of grievance procedures to address problems and administer the collective bargaining agreement. Identification, research, presentation, and writing of grievance cases. Analysis of relevant labor law and the logic applied by arbitrators to grievance decisions. (Core Course)

LSTU L230 Labor and the Economy (3 cr.)* Analysis of the political economy of labor and the role of organized labor within it. Emphasis on the effect of unemployment on workers, unions, and collective bargaining; investment policy and changes in technology and corporate structure. Patterns of union political and bargaining responses. (Core Course)

LSTU L240 Occupational Health and Safety (3 cr.)* Elements and issues of occupational health and safety. Emphasis is on the union's role in the implementation of workplace health-and-safety programs, worker and union rights, hazard recognition techniques, and negotiated and statutory remedies—in particular, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. (Core Course)

LSTU L250 Collective Bargaining (3 cr.)* The development and organization of collective bargaining in the U.S. including union preparation for negotiations, bargaining patterns and practices, strategies and tactics, economic and legal considerations. (Core Course)

LSTU L251 Collective Bargaining Laboratory (1-3 cr.) Designed to provide collective bargaining simulations and other participatory experiences in conjunction with L250. Student must be currently enrolled or have taken L250. (Core Course)

LSTU L255 Unions in State and Local Government (3 cr.)** Union organization and representation of state and municipal government employees, including patterns in union structure, collective bargaining, grievance representation, and applicable law. (Core Course)

LSTU L260 Leadership and Representation (3 cr.) Organizational leadership issues for union, community, and other advocate organizations. Analyzes leadership styles, membership recruitment, and leadership development. Examines the role of leaders in internal governance and external affairs including committee building, delegation, negotiations, and coalition building. (Core Course)

LSTU L270 Union Government and Organization (3 cr.)* An analysis of the growth, composition, structure, behavior, and government processes of U.S. labor organizations, from the local to the national federation level. Consideration is given to the influence on unions of industrial and political environments, to organizational behavior in different types of unions, and to problems in union democracy. (Core Course)

LSTU L280 Union Organizing (3 cr.)** Explores various approaches and problems in private and public sector organizing. Traditional approaches are evaluated in light of structural changes in labor markets and workforce demographics. Topics range from targeting and assessments, to committee building and leadership development.

LSTU L285 Assessment Project (1 cr.) Capstone experience for associate degree students. (Core Course)

LSTU L290 Topics in Labor Studies (1-3 cr.)** This is a course number under which a variety of topics can be addressed in classroom-based programs on the campuses. Courses may focus on contemporary or special areas of labor studies, such as "Balancing Work and Family"; others are directed toward specific categories of employees and labor organizations. Inquire at the Labor Studies Program office on the appropriate campus. (Counts as women's studies credit when topic is women).

LSTU L299 Self-Acquired Competency in Labor Studies (1-15 cr.)

LSTU L315 The Organization of Work (3 cr.) Examines how work is organized and jobs are evaluated, measured, and controlled. Explores social and technical elements of work through theories of scientific management, the human relations school of management, and contemporary labor process literature.

LSTU L320 Grievance Arbitration (3 cr.)* The legal and practical context of grievance arbitration, its limitations and advantages in resolving workplace problems. Varieties of arbitration clauses and the status of awards. Participants analyze, research, prepare, and present cases in mock arbitration hearings. (Recommended only after L220 or with permission of instructor.)

LSTU L350 Issues in Collective Bargaining (3 cr.) Readings and discussion of selected problems. Research paper usually required.

LSTU L360 Union Administration and Development (1-3 cr.) Practical and theoretical perspectives on strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational decision making. Addresses needs and problems of union leaders by studying organizational change, staff development, and cohesiveness within a diverse workforce. May be repeated for up to 3 credit hours with department approval.

LSTU L380 Theories of the Labor Movement (3 cr.)* Perspectives on the origin, development, and goals of organized labor. Theories include those, which 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.

LSTU L385 Class, Race, Gender, and Work (3 cr.) Historical overview of the impact and interplay of class, race, and gender on shaping U.S. labor markets, organizations, and policies. Examines union responses and strategies for addressing class, race, and gender issues.

LSTU L390 Topics in Labor Studies (1-3))* Advanced courses in areas described under L290.

LSTU L410 Comparative Labor Movements (3 cr.) Labor movements and labor relations in industrial societies from historical, analytical, and comparative perspectives. Emphasis on interaction between unions and political organizations, national labor policies, the resolution of workplace problems, the organization of white collar employees, and the issues of workers' control and codetermination.

LSTU L420 Labor Studies Internship (1-6 cr.) Application of knowledge gained in the classroom in fieldwork experience.

LSTU L430 Labor Research Methods (3 cr.) Study of research design, methods, techniques, and procedures applicable to research problems in labor studies.

LSTU L480 Senior Seminar of Readings (3 cr.) Designed as either a classroom seminar or directed reading. This course addresses current issues, historical developments, and other labor related concerns. Topics vary each semester.

LSTU L490 Advanced Topics in Labor Studies (1-3 cr.)

LSTU L495 Directed Labor Study (1-6 cr.)* By arrangement. An advanced course to suit the special and varied needs and interests of individual students. Arrangements with the faculty member might include reading and directed application of prior course work, tutorials, or internships. Competencies assessed through written papers, projects, or reports. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 credit hours. External participants who have completed all other labor studies courses available through independent study by correspondence may apply for L495. Written proposals should be directed to one of the labor studies faculty members with whom the participant has already completed a course. Proposals should be clearly drafted in one to two pages and should state the proposed number of credit hours (1 to 6). Inquiries and proposals should be sent to: Indiana University, 400 E. 7th Street, Labor Studies, 628 Poplars, Bloomington, IN 47405. Proposals will be forwarded to the faculty member. Written examinations may be required.

LSTU L499 Self-Acquired Competency in Labor Studies (1-15 cr.)

LSTU L580 Graduate Seminar (3 cr.) Advanced seminar in varying topics.

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