Caucasus University
Caucasus School of Governance
Syllabus
Course
Industrial relations systems in EU
Course Code
Annotation of the Course
Status of the Course
Labor realtions in industrial society. The industrial labor relations history; introduction to the
discipline of industrial relations and its methodology. Social and economic aspects of labor
relations. Institutional arrangment and its elements: trade unions, employment policies, social
dialogue, collective action. Institutional arrangements in EU countries in comparative
perspective. Post-industrial transformation and new trends.
Obligatory
Optional
ECTS
School, Grade/Level, Group
School
Teaching Grade
Governance
LL.B
Group
Lecturer
Working Place
Academic Degree
Academic Position
Work Telephone
Mobile Phone
E mail
Consultancy Time
LL.M
PHD
Semester
Marina Muskhelishvili
Centre for Social Studies
Dr.
Lecturer
599 503062
marinmus@yahoo.com
after class
Daily, by e-mail.
Preconditions to the Course
Format of the course
Class
Other
45 hours
15 weeks, 3 hours per week
Hours for independent work, including for the preparation for mid-term and
final exams, as well as for the preparation of the in-class presentation
1
Objectives of the Course
Outcome of the teaching
Compulsory Reading
Supplementary Literature
and Other Sources of
Information
Teaching Methods
Objective of teaching this subject is to let students:

critically evaluate the impact and the role of labor realtions in social, economic and
political development;

engage with debates around the issue

understand concepts and research methods in industrial relations;

understand the problem in the context of European integration;

theoretical and practical frames and research skills for the analysis of industrial
relations and labor problems in Georgia.
On completion of the subject students should have developed the following generic skills:

attitudes towards knowledge and critical approach, avoiding sentimentality and being
open (without necessarily accepting) new and/or different ideas;

the capacity for close reading and analysis of a range of sources;

the capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection;

the capacity to plan and manage time;

the capacity to work effectively in a team

A reader will be available to the students with additional papers and articles

The cource is planned as problem-oriented, stressing creative thinking about Georgian reality.
The course is planned as interactive to the maximum degree possible.
Respectively, the expectation is that the class/lecture shall also be interactive to the maximum
degree possible. Classes will also be devoted to presentations of students, debates as well as
discussions.
One of the elements to ensure the interactive course is doing partial reading of the new
material by students before the lecture. Respectively, in order to have better comprehension of
the issues of this complex subject there is an expectation that students will make themselves
familiar with the material to consider at the next lecture at a minimum level, in order to get
actively engaged in putting questions during lecture.
Students are expected to prepare:

In-class test
There will be 1 mid-term exam based on readings, lectures, discussions and other courserelated materials (including videos available online)

Position paper
During the semester each student will prepare an oral 15-minute in-class presentation with an
accompanying paper (2 pages long max). The paper MUST be circulated it among course
participants via e-mail 48 hours before the class. The aim is to stimulate the discussion. The
paper has to be based on one or more readings, or any other topic related to the course and can
be supported by other means (i.e. visual aid and internet).

Final paper
An essay of about 2,500-3,000 words paper (excluding bibliography). Any topic is acceptable as
far as it is related to industrial relations. A proposal for the final paper should be submitted by
week 11.The proposal should be not longer than 2 pages, and it should include the proposed
topic with the main questions or hypotheses, the methods of inquiry, and a rough
bibliography. The proposals will be discussed in class on the 11th week.
Note: all papers should be in Times New Roman font double space
2
Requirements for the
Students
-
-
Knowledge Assessment
Forms and Criteria
Students must attend lectures. There shall not be justification for missing classes without
solid reason. Not attending classes will be resembled at the final grade.
No recovery classes will be scheduled to make up the oral presentations.
Students must attentively follow the lecture and participate actively in the discussions
around the topics considered during the class.
No other activities are allowed by students during the classes (talking to each other,
writing something unrelated, etc.)
No mobile phones and using them are allowed during the classes.
Students must be in the class on time. Students will not be allowed to the class, if late and
the class missed will be considered as a class missed without justification.
No talking of students with each other during the written or oral examination is allowed.
No copying of material from books or each other is allowed either. A student
disregarding this rule will leave the class and the task or the exam will be considered as
failed.
Student shall the in-class presentation and get appropriately ready for mid-term and final
exams at all times during the course.
Any attempt of plagiarism will be revealed and controlled to the maximum degree
possible. At the point of handing over the work, a student will confirm by signing a short
statement that the work handed over, prepared for the purposes of the course in original,
individual, drafted by him/her and excludes plagiarism. If this requirement is neglected,
the work/component of the course will get an automatic “0” grade.
Form of the Exam
Class attendance
In-class Presentation
Midterm Exam
Final Paper
Quantity
15
1
1
1
Assessment
15
15
30
40
Total Points
15 points
15 points
30 points
40 points
Total
100 points
Evaluation System
Indexed System of Evaluation and Indicators
Evaluation Scale
A (90%-100%)
B (81%-90%)
C (71%-80%)
D (61%-70%)
E (51%-60%)
FX (41%-50%)
F (40% and less)
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Satisfactory
Passed
Could not Pass
Failed
Points
90.45 _ 100.00
80.45 _ 90.44
70.45 _ 80.44
60.45 _ 70.44
50.45 _ 60.44
40.45 _ 50.44
0.00 _ 40.44
Academic Calendar
I week
Class/lecture
II week
Class/lecture
III week
Class/lecture
IV week
Class/lecture
V week
VI week
VII week
VIII week
3
Class/lecture
Class/lecture
IX week
Class/lecture
XIII week
Class/lecture
X week
Class/lecture
XIV week
Class/lecture
Preparatory week
for mid-term exam
XI week
Final paper proposals
XV week
Final paper discussion /
grading
Mid-term exam
XII week
Class/lecture
Calendar Plan for Classes
Time, place and
date
N
1
Week
st
Day –
Thursday
Date
Start
19.00
Finish
22.00
Auditorium
Topic for discussion, home work, reading
Introduction to the class, the content of the course, methods and assessment system, the mandatory and
supplementary readings
 Class 1. Industrial relations - introduction to the discipine
Mandatory reading:

Bruce E. Kaufman (2001) Human resources and industrial relations Commonalities and differences.
Human Resource Management Review 11 339–374
2nd
Week
 Class 2. The division of labor, alienation of labor, post-modern turn
Mandatory reading:

Kai Erikson, “On Work and Alienation”, American Sociological Review, Vol. 51, Feb., pp. 1-8, 1986

Paul Thompson, 2010, The capitalist labour process: Concepts and connections. Capital & Class 34(1) 7–
14, Sage
Supplementary reading:

3rd
Week
 Class 3. Marx and his legacy. Labor and capital: the political economy of organized class
Mandatory Reading:

Claus Offe, Helmut Wiesenthal, 1980. Two Logics Of Collective Action: Theoretical Notes On Social
Class And Organizational Form. Political Power and Social Theory, Volume 1, pages 67-115

Ralf Dahrendorf. 1959. Class and Class Conflict in Industrial Society. Stanford University Press
Supplementary Reading:

JASON SCHULMAN. 2009. AFTER LABOURISM: THE NEOLIBERAL TURN BY LABOR PARTIES
AND THE RESPONSE BY TRADE UNIONS. A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty in
Political Science . The City University of New York
4th
Week
 Class 4. Industrial relations in Europe
Mandatory Reading:

Industrial Relations in Europe, 2010. European Commission Directorate-General for Employment, Social
Affairs and Inclusion, Unit B1

Guy Vernon and Mark Rogers, 2013, Where Do Unions Add Value? Predominant Organizing Principle,
Union Strength and Manufacturing Productivity Growth in the OECD7. British Journal of Industrial
4
Relations 51:1 March 0007–1080 pp. 1–27
Supplementary Reading:

5th
Week
 Class 5 EU - current labor market problems
Mandatory Reading:

John H. Goldthorpe 2002. Occupational Sociology, Yes: Class Analysis, No: Comment on Grusky and
Weeden’s Research Agenda. ACTA SOCIOLOGICA

Linda McDowella and Susan Christophersonb, 2009, Transforming work: new forms of employment and
their regulation. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society 2, 335–342
Supplementary Reading:

6th
Week
 Class 6. European Trade Unionism
Mandatory reading:

Richard Hyman, 2001. Understanding European Trade Unionism. Between market, class and society.
SAGE Publications

Richard B. Freeman and James L. Medoff . What Do Unions Do? CHAPTER 1

BARRY T. HIRSCH 2004 What Do Unions Do for Economic Performance? JOURNAL OF t.ABOR
RESEARCH Volume XXV, Numlier 3 Summer

7th
Week
Preparatory week for the mid-term exam
8th
Week
Mid-term exam
9th
Week
 Class 7. Collective bargaining and disput resolution
Mandatory reading:

Douglas M. Mahony & Brian S. Klaas (2008) Comparative Dispute Resolution in the Workplace. J Labor
Res 29:251–271

What do Unions Do in Europe? Prospects and challenges for union presence and union influence, A
Report for the Fondazione RODOLFO DEBENEDETTI
Supplementary reading:
10th
Week
 Class 8. Labor market institutions
.
5
Mandatory reading:

Ton Wilthagen and Frank Tros. The concept of ‘flexicurity’: a new approach to regulating employment
and labour markets

Sandrine Cazes. Do labour market institutions matter in transition economies? An analysis of labour
market flexibility in the late nineties. INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LABOUR STUDIES.
Discussion paper DP/140/2002

Gary S. Fields, 2005. A Guide to Multisector Labor Market Models. Social Protection Unit, Human
Development Network, The World Bank
Supplementary reading:

11th
Week
12th
Week
 Class 9. Final papers’ proposals
Discussion about the topics chosen for the final papers
 Class 10.The impact of globalization
Mandatory reading:

Seymour Spilerman, 2008. How Globalization Has Impacted Labour: A Review Essay. European
Sociological Review VOLUME 25 NUMBER 1 2009 73–86 73
Supplementary reading:

13th
Week
 Class 11. A new trends; vulnerable work, labor migration, social mobility
Mandatory reading:

Frazer, A. & Sargeant, M. (2009). Older workers as vulnerable workers in the new world of work. 15th
World Congress of the International Industrial Relations Association (IIRA) (p. Workshop Sessions,
Track 5: Session 3). Sydney: IIRA.

HIRANTHI JAYAWEERA and BRIDGET ANDERSON. MIGRANT WORKERS AND VULNERABLE
EMPLOYMENT: A REVIEW OF EXISTING DATA . Report for TUC Commission on Vulnerable
Employment
Supplementary reading:

14th
Week
 Class 12. Transforming economies (post-industrial) and labor
Mandatory reading:

Ricardo Mamede, , 2008. Toward an integrated approach to industry dynamics and labor mobility.
Industrial and Corporate Change, Volume 18, Number 1, pp. 139–163

Christopher Kollmeyer (May 2009). Explaining Deindustrialization: How Affluence, Productivity
Growth, and Globalization Diminish Manufacturing Employment. AJS Volume 114 Number 6: 1644–74

Lorenzo Cappellari, Carlo DellíAringa and Marco Leonardi. 2011. Flexible employment, job áows and
labour productivity
Supplementary reading:

15th
Week
Lecturer
 Class 13. Final papers discussion
.....................................................
6
//
(Date)..................
Head of the Quality Assurance Department
(Date)..................
.......................................................
/ S. Kuchukhidze/
Head of the Professorship
.......................................................
(Date)..................
Academic programs’ Director
Dean of Faculty
.......................................................
/M.
......................................................
7
Mikeladze/
(Date)..................
/Z. Maruashvili/
(Date)..................