Main Content
Syllabus
LER 400: Comparative Employment Relations Systems
(3.0 Credits.) Analysis of structure and elements of employment relations systems indeveloped and developing areas.
Overview | Objectives | Materials | Library Resources | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Accommodating Disabilities | Additional Policies
Overview
This course explores contemporary topics in labor and employment relations in the world. The course examines several examples of employment relations systems, each carefully chosen to illustrate important variations in employment relation’s practices. It also provides an overview of economic globalization and its impact on employment relations. Topics on each example will include trade unions and collective bargaining, minimum wage regulation, EEO for women, and temporary migrants/guest workers.
Topics that will be discussed include:
- The definition and study of ‘employment relations’ (ER).
- Critical topics (four) in the study of employment relations.
- Employment relations in selected countries, including comparative analysis that covers both the ‘macro’ level of national systems and the ‘micro’ level of the enterprise/workplace.
- The role of international agencies/institutions and their impacts on national employment relations systems.
- The effects of globalisation on employment relations.
Throughout the course, lessons will begin with a description of the learning objectives, along with a brief commentary that introduces and supports the reading assignments. This lesson material will form the basis for assessment. To help you check your own progress and understanding, there will be regular opportunities to take multiple-choice quizzes, short-answer Discussion Board questions and ‘Problem-based learning’ (PBL) exercises.
As participants in this course, some of you will have had more workplace and/or international experience than others. This experience can bring many rich insights into understanding the practical implications of comparative employment relations. The course will allow you to share your experiences and learn from each other. Where possible, you will be asked to share your expertise to maximize your learning experience.
Course Objectives
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:
- Define and review the essential concepts in employment relations.
- Critically evaluate various theories and frameworks of employment relations for their fundamental assumptions, intellectual rigour, and practical value.
- Recognise and compare employment relations laws and national institutional structures across a number of countries.
- Locate and access these laws and institutions in their economic, political, cultural and historical context.
- Analyse the impact of national employment relations laws and institutions on managerial practices and employee representations at the enterprise/workplace level.
- Identify and define the role of key international agencies and institutions and their effects upon national employment relations systems.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements and Grading
Assessments
Assessment 1 – Quizzes (Total - 200 points)
Assessment Type: Each content lesson in the course includes a quiz. You may take each quiz only ONCE and graded feedback is immediate. The purpose of the quiz is to ensure you have grasped some of the core concepts of the lesson. There will be eight quizzes (8 x 25 points). Each quiz will contain 5 questions, worth 5 points each.
Weighting: 20 %.
Assessment 2 – Discussion Board Contributions (Total - 300 points)
Assessment Type: Discussion Board Contributions and a copy of the final Contribution submitted to Turnitin (each contribution a maximum of 700 words)
Description: A series of exercises/discussions will test the students’ capacity to consolidate and apply specialised knowledge of employment relations. Students work independently to apply specialised knowledge and expert judgement to the theoretical and practical issues of ER.
Note: This assessment has two parts. To ensure Academic Integrity, each student must ‘cut and paste’ their final contribution and submit it via Turnitin before the Discussion Board is closed.
There will be five core topics that can be addressed. Each contribution will be awarded a mark out of 60.
Weighting: 30 %.
Due Date: Each Discussion Board and final submission via Turnitin will be open for a specific period. You will not be able to contribute to a Discussion Board or submit your written contribution if it is closed. Specific dates will be notified separately.
Length: Each Contribution max 700 words
Submission Method: Contributions to the Discussion Board and final contribution via Turnitin.
Assessment Criteria: Each contribution will be awarded a mark on the following scale: 0 = no contribution; 10-29 = poor; 30 = adequate; 30-40 = good/very good; 50-60 =excellent, based on the assessment criteria below:
- Answers the question(s)
- Uses information/evidence to support argument
- Reports information from required readings/other sources accurately
- Acknowledges/addresses conflicting data/opposing views
Assessment 3 - PBL Exercise 1
Assessment Type: Case Study /Problem Based Learning (Total 200 points)
Description: The purpose of this assessment is to reinforce the students understanding of the PBL learning method and of the complex elements of ER/HRM in organisations. Students engage in critical thinking to analyse the issues in the PBL cases. They display professional proficiency of information and technology to identify relevant literature. Students use effective written communication skills to make and justify persuasive recommendations.
Weighting: 20%
Length: 1500 word report, excluding references and appendices.
Due Date: see course scedule
Submission Method: Online via Turnitin
Assessment Criteria:
The assessment criteria are as follows:
A. Scoping of the issues (20% of the total mark)
B. Substantive content (40% of the total mark)
C. Response to the issues (40% of the total mark)
Return Method: Via Turnitin
Feedback Provided: Online - To individuals, online through Canvas.
Assessment 4 - PBL Exercise 2
Assessment Type: Case Study /Problem Based Learning (Total 300 points)
Description: This assignment assesses students ability to define and critically analyse complex issues in Employment Relations. Students apply decision making skills that incorporate ethical, social and global issues when critically analysing employment relations in at least five global economies. After identifying the relevant literature, students interpret, challenge and defend competing ER models to make and justify persuasive conclusions.
Weighting: 30%
Length: 3,000 word report, excluding references and appendices.
Due Date: see course schedule
Assessment Criteria:
The assessment criteria are as follows:
A. Scoping of the issues (20% of the total mark)
B. Substantive content (40% of the total mark)
C. Response to the issues (40% of the total mark)
Return Method: Via Turnitin
Feedback Provided: Online - To individuals, online through Canvas.
You are required to submit your paper to TURNITIN before turning it into the instructor. TURNITIN is a program that analyzes content of papers for originality and property citing of sources. It is used in this course primarily to help you identify any problems of excessive or uncited material from other sources. The Instructor Manual available on the TURNITIN Web site provides directions for instructors to follow on setting up a class account, and the Student Manual provides directions for you to access the services via that account. Click on the appropriate links and follow the step-by-step procedures in each manual on Getting Started and Plagiarism Prevention. Your instructor will supply you with the class ID, password and other pertinent information.
Students please note: The School of Labor and Employment Relations does not view Wikipedia as a valid source for information cited in academic work. It can be a useful tool for quickly finding general information on subjects or as a starting point for research. However, students should not cite Wikipedia as a source in papers, reports, assignments, etc.
*Note: if any assignments are submitted after the scheduled deadline, these will be marked down by half a letter grade for each day that they are late (unless otherwise agreed in advance with the instructor).
Surveys
You will be expected to complete two surveys: the Mid-Course Survey and the End-of-Course Survey. Please take the time to provide as much information as possible, as your input is used to enhance the course for future offerings. Responses to the survey do not affect your grade.
Grading
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
| Individual Assignment – PBL1 | 200 |
| Individual Assignment – PBL2 | 300 |
| Quizzes (8 – 25 points each) | 200 |
| Discussion Boards (5 – 60 points each) | 300 |
| Course Total | 1000 |
The World Campus follows the same grading system as the Penn State resident program. The system is as follows:
Grades of A, B, C, D, and F indicate the following qualities of academic performance:
| Grade | Indication |
|---|---|
| A (Excellent) | Indicates exceptional achievement |
| B (Good) | Indicates extensive achievement |
| C (Satisfactory) | Indicates acceptable achievement |
| D (Poor) | Indicates only minimal achievement |
| F (Failure) | Indicates inadequate achievement necessitating a repetition of the course in order to secure credit |
| Letter Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | 930-1000 |
| A- | 900-929 |
| B+ | 870-899 |
| B | 840-869 |
| B- | 800-839 |
| C+ | 770-799 |
| C | 700-769 |
| D | 600-699 |
| F | 599-below |
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
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- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
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- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.