About | Courses | Registration
The Labor Studies Certificate Program gives current and future union leaders, representatives, and activists the background and skills needed to deal with the changing workplace and economy. With a grounding in history, political science, law, and economics, students have the opportunity to develop skills of analysis, leadership, and organizing that will provide an equal footing with counterparts in the corporate and political world. Completion of the program earns 18 credit hours toward a degree and a Certificate in Labor Studies.
Six three-credit-hour courses are offered, two per semester, at convenient times and locations for working people. Courses are offered through a statewide network as live, two-way interactive video. At some classes, an instructor will be present in the classroom; at others, the instructor will be on another campus utilizing a two-way television hookup. Students attend classes at the campus most convenient for them.
All classes are participatory and take advantage of video technology to bring together students from across the state of Missouri to share experiences and discuss solutions to common problems. For information on schedules, fees, and registration, call: University of Missouri-St. Louis, Continuing Education, (314) 516-5948.
Check with your employer and union about tuition assistance. Financial aid and loans through the University may also be available. For more information, call (314) 516-5526.
Courses
Upon completion of the program, in addition to 18 credit hours toward a college degree, you will receive a Certificate in Labor Studies from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The six certificate courses are:
- Collective Bargaining (POL SCI 3470)
- Introduction to Labor Studies (POL SCI 1450)
- Labor Law (POL SCI 3220)
- Studies in International Relations Special Topics: Labor: Power, Policy, and the Global Political Economy (POL SCI 3890)
- Union Leadership and Administration (POL SCI 3430)
- U.S. Labor History (HIST 2219)
See below for descriptions of each course. Please visit the online catalog for course scheduling.
Collective Bargaining
Saturdays | August-December, 2013 | 9:00-4:00 PM
This course involves a study of collective bargaining processes including contract negotiations, contract administration, and methods for the resolution of bargaining disputes. Both theoretical and applied issues in collective bargaining will be addressed. Specific topics include the economic determination of bargaining power, legal constraints on the bargaining process, negotiation strategies and techniques, and the use of mediation and arbitration in the resolution of bargaining disputes.
Introduction to Labor Studies
Wednesdays | August 22-December 12, 2012 | 7:00-10:00 PM
This course covers many topics important to the role of unions in the American political system and American society from a labor perspective. Topics include the role of workers in current and future times, unions’ institutional structure, collective bargaining strategies and obstacles for union organizing, recent union campaigns, labor’s political role, and the relationship between labor and the media.
Labor Law
Saturdays | January-May, 2013 | 9:00-4:00 PM
In this course, participants will examine the role of government in the regulation of labor-management relations in the United States. While the focus of the course will be on federal laws regulating private sector labor relations, parallel issues addressed in the Railway Labor Act and state public sector labor relations law will also be covered. Specific topics include the legal framework for the organization of workers, definition of prohibited or unfair labor practices of employers and unions, legal regulation of the collective bargaining process, regulation of the use of economic weapons in labor disputes, enforcement of collective bargaining agreements, and the regulation of internal trade union activities.
Studies in International Relations Special Topics: Labor: Power, Policy, and the Global Political Economy
Wednesday | August-December, 2013 | 7:00-10:00 PM
This course is concerned with the nature and structure of the current global economy in connection with the political forces
that seek to impact this structure. The course examines labor capital relations within this context and their impact on social
policies and on labor’s international, national and local options.
Union Leadership and Administration
Saturdays | September 8-December 1, 2012 | 9:00-4:00 PM
This course will focus on the roles and challenges of union leadership in a changing environment. Topics will include the union leader’s roles as representative, organizer, and educator as well as administrative responsibilities within the union and the relationship with enterprise management in both adversarial and participatory situations. Options for leadership style and organizational models will be discussed and explored in both theory and practice. Leaders will develop their skills of motivation, speaking, strategic planning, and managing complex campaigns and diverse organizations.
U.S. Labor History
Wednesdays | January23-May 15, 2013 | 7:00-10:00 PM
This course examines the history of work and the working class in the United States. It focuses on the transformation of the workplace; the evolution of working class consciousness and the development of the labor movement; the role of race, gender, and ethnicity in uniting or dividing the working class; and the nature of labor's relations with other social groups in the political arena. Particular emphasis on the political and economic conditions and strategies of the period when working class power was growing.
Registration
Current UMSL StudentsThree ways to register:
- Online at myview.umsl.edu.
- Visit the Registrar's Office in 351 Millennium Student Center.
- Call Stephen Smith at (314) 516-5948 [TDD: Call (314) 516-5961.]
New or Former Students
Call (314) 516-5994 to request registration information.
