Undergraduate Course: International and Comparative Employment Relations (BUST10026)
Course Outline
| School | Business School | 
College | College of Humanities and Social Science | 
 
| Course type | Standard | 
Availability | Available to all students | 
 
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) | 
Credits | 20 | 
 
| Home subject area | Business Studies | 
Other subject area | None | 
   
| Course website | 
http://www.webct.ed.ac.uk/ | 
Taught in Gaelic? | No | 
 
| Course description | An integrated overview of the ways in which the world of employment relations is becoming increasingly internationalised. Three levels of analysis are provided: diversity among national systems; examination of the growing influence of the EU and other regional trade blocks; and the concept of "globalisation" from a variety of employment perspectives. Specific topics discussed within this framework include developments in international human resource strategy, "Japanisation", globalisation and labour standards, and prospects for international unionism. A critique of the convergence thesis constitutes the chief integrative theme. | 
 
 
Information for Visiting Students 
| Pre-requisites | A pass in Organisation Studies (BUST08011) OR 
Managing Employment Relations (BUST08010) OR 
International Business: Globalisation and Trade 2A (BUST08008) equivalents 
 
 
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| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes | 
 
 
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |   
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes 
The course aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of a number of key issues and debates:  
 
- The divergent characteristics of national employment relations systems, and the sources of such diversity. 
- The regulatory influence of regional trade blocks, including the EU. 
- Transnational diffusion of employment practices and the convergence thesis. 
- The concept of a global labour market and impact of globalisation upon labour standards. 
- Evolving international HRM strategies. 
- Evolving global strategies of organised labour. 
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Assessment Information 
Students will be assessed by a combination of one essay, not to exceed 2,500 words, that contributes 30% to the final assessment; and a  written  degree examination  that accounts for the remaining 70%  of marks. 
Visiting Student Variant Assessment 
Two essays, 3,000 words each, that contribute 50% each to the final assessment. |  
 
Special Arrangements 
| None |   
 
Additional Information 
| Academic description | 
Not entered | 
 
| Syllabus | 
Not entered | 
 
| Transferable skills | 
Not entered | 
 
| Reading list | 
Not entered | 
 
| Study Abroad | 
Not entered | 
 
| Study Pattern | 
Not entered | 
 
| Keywords | ICER | 
 
 
Contacts 
| Course organiser | Mr Colin Duncan 
Tel: (0131 6)50 3810 
Email:  | 
Course secretary | Mr Paul Kydd 
Tel: (0131 6)50 3824 
Email:  | 
   
 
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