Major Overview

Description

The Work and Employment Relations major focuses on the dynamics of workplace relations between employers and employees as well as the wider impact of employment relations on the economy, society and politics. You will study how work is organised, the way employees are managed, the role of unions, how cooperation and negotiation can be developed, and how conflict can emerge and be managed. The nature of employment relations in both Australia and other countries is examined using institutional and sociological perspectives.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. evaluate and understand key concepts, theories and practices in employment relations as well as have an understanding of perspectives on the transformation of work and society drawn from relevant social (sociology, labour studies) and legal studies (employment law) disciplines
  2. apply relevant theories to practical contexts and issues
  3. understand the interests of workers, unions, managers, employers and the State within the workplace and the broader social context of work
  4. understand how to formulate appropriate responses to relevant policy and managerial issues
  5. understand principles of ethical behaviour and social responsibility in contemporary organisations and society
  6. use effective communication skills, both written and oral
  7. work and manage teams.
Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Courses

Work and Employment Relations can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
NS
non-standard teaching period

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 EMPL1101 Employment Relations, Work and Society
Incompatibility
IREL1101/2201 Foundations of Employment Relations
S2 EMPL1206 Social Psychology of Work
Incompatibility
EMPL2206 Social Psychology of Work

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 EMPL2202 Australian Employment Relations
Prerequisites
EMPL1101 Employment Relations, Work and Society
or EMPL1206 Social Psychology of Work
or MGMT1135 Organisational Behaviour
or MGMX1135 Organisational Behaviour
or MGMT1136 Management and Organisations
or MGMX1136 Management and Organisations
Incompatibility
EMPL1102 Australian Employment Relations
NS EMPL2309 Work and the Law
Prerequisites
EMPL1101 Introduction to Employment Relations.
or EMPL1206 Social Psychology of Work.
for pre-2012 courses: any two relevant Level 1 units or equivalent
or LAWS1111 Law, Conflict and Change
Incompatibility
LAWS3309 Workplace Law
and LAWS2309 Work and the Law

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 EMPL3208 Managing Diversity
Prerequisites
24 points of study at any level, including at least 12 points of Bachelor of Commerce units
Incompatibility
EMPL2208 Managing Diversity
S2 EMPL3241 International Employment Relations
Prerequisites
EMPL2202 Australian Employment Relations
Incompatibility
EMPL2241 International Employment Relations
S1 EMPL3270 Negotiation: Theory and Practice
Prerequisites
any two Level 2 units in the Human Resource Management major, Management major
or Work and Employment Relations major
Incompatibility
EMPL2270 International Employment Relations
S1 EMPL3301 Globalisation and Work
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
level 1 24 points