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Unit of study_

WORK6018: Comparative Industrial Relations

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides students with insights into the debate about the effect of globalisation on employment relations by using comparative analysis to identify the range of factors that account for similarities and difference in national patterns of industrial relations. The unit focuses on providing an understanding of the nature of industrial relations patterns in developed and developing market economies and invites students to compare a range of developments across these countries.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WORK6018
Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Bradon Ellem, bradon.ellem@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final exam
Written exam
35% Formal exam period 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Participation Class participation
A full tutorial program and assessment detail will be uploaded to Canvas.
10% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Short essay
Short essay assessing conceptual material
15% Week 05
Due date: 01 Sep 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 15 Sep 2022
1,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Major assignment
Essay
40% Week 10
Due date: 10 Oct 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 24 Oct 2022
2,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Short essay: This essay tests student knowledge of the concepts introduced in the opening classes, laying the foundation for the major essay.
  • Major assignment: Students will answer one of the questions provided in the form of an essay, applying theory to specific comparisons. 
  • Tutorial participation: Based on preparation and involvement in a polite and constructive manner.
  • Final exam: This assessment item will cover all the topics examined in weekly lectures, tutorials, and readings. The format will be short essay-style answers.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to international and comparative study Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Theory and methods 1: Varieties of capitalism Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Theory and methods 2: Globalisation and variety Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 The VOC archetypes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Is there a Chinese 'variety of capitalism'? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Do countries change type? Australia compared Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Is there change within variety? Scandinavia Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Is there an Asian variety? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Reading/essay week Independent study (7 hr)  
Week 10 Changing industrial relations in Southeast Asia Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 How much variety is there in industrial relations? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Overview Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

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 editon 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 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. explain the factors which influence national and international systems of industrial relations.
  • LO2. assess the various theories of international and comparative industrial relations and apply these to the countries which are examined during the unit
  • LO3. communicate to others the key features and issues of industrial relations of the countries which you have studied
  • LO4. collaborate positively with other members of the class in discussions
  • LO5. apply an understanding of the concept of 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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

‘More information can be found on 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.