The course examines the basic principles of labor law: a body of rulings, regulations, and legislative acts governing the rights of workers to form a union and collectively bargain over workplace terms and conditions. It focuses on the major federal legislation in this area - the National Labor Relations Act - as opposed to other laws governing workplace conduct (wage-hour, anti-discrimination, etc.), state laws, or those pertaining to public sector employees. The class covers the history of the Act, who is covered under its provisions, the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board and judicial review of its actions, how unions are formed, collective bargaining, unfair labor practices and the procedures to remedy same, and economic weapons used in labor disputes (strikes, boycotts, lock-outs, etc.). The class also analyzes labor law from a multi-disciplinary perspective, with attention given to psychology, economic history, politics, and emerging cultural trends (the rise of social media as a means of union organizing, for example). It is taught using a combination of lecture, case analysis, and classroom simulations. It is the goal of this course to provide the student a firm grounding in the basics of labor law, with a practical appreciation of the passions labor conflict generates.
Labor law lends itself to lectures, discussions, and practical exercises, so the course will consist of pre-recorded lectures, Zoom classes, and individual assignments with short follow-up papers. Your participation as evidenced by your papers will count for half of your grade, with a shorter exam accounting for the rest.
Course Areas of Practice | |
Evaluation Methods | Final Exam |
Degree Requirements | |
Course Type | Lecture |
Learning Outcomes | Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law |