Outline

Overview

This unit of study examines the way in which the internationalisation of economic activities impacts on the nature of employment jobs and regulation across different countries and regions It considers how economic development in different countries has contributed to the growth of particular employment arrangements It focuses in particular on the country specific interplay between economics politics and society which has contributed to the development of particular employment regulatory regimes Further it maps economic changes on a global scale identifying international economic forces agents and political arrangements and seeks to highlight pressures and tensions on employment arrangements that result from these global interactions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Completion of at least 48 credit points
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	WORK2224
Assumed knowledge ?	WORK1003 and (WORK1004 or WORK2201)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Chris F Wright, chris.f.wright@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Chris F Wright, chris.f.wright@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Short essay-style answers	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial participation Attendance in and contributions to class discussions and activities	10%	Multiple weeks	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group presentation and facilitation Presentation of answers to set tutorial questions and leading class discussion	20%	Ongoing	20 mins each presentation + facilitation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Major project Guided essay-style answers to a series of questions and tasks	40%	Week 09 Due date: 02 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 16 May 2025	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Major project

This assessment requires student to engage with and critically apply key theories and concepts to comparative scenarios.

Final exam

This assessment covers all the topics examined in weekly lectures, tutorials, and readings. The format will be short essay-style answers.

Group presentation

This assessment requires students to give a group presentation, answer set questions and facilitate class discussion.

Participation

This assessment is based on preparation and contributions to tutorial discussions in a polite and constructive manner.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Standard late penalties apply

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introducing globalisation, work and employment	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Varieties of capitalism	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Critical perspective on Varieties of Capitalism - liberalisation, gender, geography	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	The Varieties of Capitalism archetypes - USA and Germany	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Is there a Chinese variety?	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Do countries 'change variety'? Australia and the UK	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Is there an Asian variety? Japan, South Korea and India	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Changes at work and industrial relations in Southeast Asia	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Essay reading and planning week	Independent study (3 hr)
Week 10	Change within variety? The Nordic systems	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	How much variety is there? Latin America and Africa	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	Do national systems matter? Varieties during times of crisis	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Overview and exam preparation	Tutorial (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas. The textbook is essential – and you must use the 7th edition because it is very different from the previous version.

Bamber GJ, Cooke FL, Doellgast V and Wright CF (eds) (2021) International and Comparative Employment Relations: Global Crises and Institutional Responses (7th Edition). Sydney: Allen and Unwin and London: Sage Books.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of the factors which influence national and international systems of work and industrial relations
LO2. Critically assess the various theories of international and comparative work and industrial relations and apply these to the countries examined during the Unit
LO3. Communicate to others the key features and issues of work and industrial relations of the countries that you have studied
LO4. Collaborate positively and effectively with other class members to better understand the ‘world of work’ in an internationally comparative context
LO5. Locate relevant and current reading, data, and research
LO6. Explain the relevance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to work and industrial relations issues in an internationally comparative context, including SDG #3 good health and wellbeing, #5 gender equity, #8 decent work and economic growth, #10 reduced inequalities, #12 responsible production and consumption, and #16 peace, justice and strong institutions, and other relevent elements of social sustainability including human rights in the workplace

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Sustainable Development Goals - 10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce income inequality within and among countries 12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 3. Good Health and Well-Being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The subject matter has been broadened to include a focus on Latin America and Africa and there are minor change to assessments in response to student feedback since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Additional costs

Textbook is essential in this unit - see Canvas

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

WORK3208: Globalisation, Work and Employment

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links