ILRIC 4325

Labor Unions and Labor Market Institutions in Europe

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2016-2017.

Examines the history of and contemporary change in the institutions underpinning the "European Social Model."  Europe has long been known for its strong labor unions and social regulation of labor markets. We will ask to what extent these traditions have been preserved or transformed through common trends of market liberalization and market integration within the European Union. The class is organized in three parts. In part one, we will discuss the history of and contemporary change in different "social European" countries such as Germany, France, and Sweden. In part two, we will focus on comparative developments in major areas of labor market policy, including compensation, parental leave, gender quotas, regulation of employment contracts, and working time flexibility. In part three, we will examine the process and politics of European integration in the European Union (EU). We will discuss major areas of EU economic and social policy and the implications for employment relations and working conditions in member states.

When Offered Fall.

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