Course Details

Labor Law

The course begins with an overview of U.S. labor history and the evolution of labor relations law. The central focus of the course examines the National Labor Relations Act from both policy and practical perspectives. Included among the topics that will be covered: the determination of who is an employee; protected concerted activity and employer responses to such activity; the means by which a union acquires the status of collective bargaining representative and the legal effect of attaining such status; the collective bargaining process and the rights and obligations of the parties during and after contract negotiations; the administration of the collective bargaining agreement; and labor protests, strikes, lockouts and secondary activity. In addition, we will study current labor trends and consider recently enacted and proposed changes to existing labor relations policies and regulations. Finally, through the medium of film, students will have the opportunity to observe how labor law issues play out in a real-world setting. Teaching Methods: Case Studies, Class Participation, Demonstrations, Discussion, Films/Videos (Students will view one or more films pertaining to labor issues), Guest Speakers (During one or more classes, students will have the opportunity to listen to, and ask questions of, experienced labor law practitioners and NLRB personnel who will discuss current labor law policies and trends), Lecture, Readings, Simulation/Role-Play, Writing Assignment (A writing project at the completion of the term). Evaluation Methods: Final Writing Project, Class Participation, Attendance. Class participation, which will be a significant factor in determining a student's grade, is defined broadly. It includes the student's contribution to discussions of (1) the material that is assigned, (2) topics raised by fellow students and (3) current labor law issues. Class size will be a factor in determining the percentage of a student's grade allocated to class participation. For the final writing project, students will be asked to address the labor law issues raised by a variety of fact scenarios from the vantage points of both union and employer.

Catalog Number: BUSCOM 630
Practice Areas: Business, Corporate,Trans AreaConstitutional Law & ProcedureLabor and Employment Area
Additional Course Information: Business Concentration Elective, Open to First Year Students


Course History

Spring 2024
Title: Labor Law
Faculty: Crystal, Jules I.
Section: 1     Credits: 3.0
Capacity: 70     Actual: 30

Spring 2023
Title: Labor Law
Faculty: Crystal, Jules I.
Section: 1     Credits: 3.0
Capacity: 70     Actual: 21

Spring 2022
Title: Labor Law
Faculty: Crystal, Jules I.
Section: 1     Credits: 3.0
Capacity: 70     Actual: 16