Industrial Relations is concerned with the rules, practices, outcomes and institutions emerging from the interaction between employers and employees in a formal work setting.  These outcomes occur at the workplace level, the sectoral level and the national level.  This course provides an introduction to Industrial Relations; it focuses on the principal Industrial Relations actors (workers, management and government) and their contribution to the process of workplace governance.  It is suitable to anyone who will work in any kind of workplace organization, essential for someone who will have responsibility for the management of people and absolutely critical for someone who will specialize in human resources management.

Students who take this course should acquire a sound knowledge of principles, concepts and practices of Industrial Relations and the capacity to advance his/her knowledge in the area.  Among other things the student will be exposed to the institutions, concepts and outcomes arising from modern employment relationships; the implications arising from conflicts of interest between employers and employees; the changes taking place in the world of work and be and be encouraged to think critically about the implications for their own future as well as the future of society.  In addition students will enhance their capacity for independent learning and information seeking in the field of Industrial Relations; their ability to work in group settings and their skills in evaluating and managing the kinds of conflict that emerge from the employment contract.