Overview
IDRL 320 examines the legal frameworks related to work and employment in Canada. It covers all aspects of work law in an integrated and accessible fashion, including common law, employment law affecting all workplaces, and labour law addressing unionized workplaces. The course is designed to teach the subject in a nonlegalistic manner for practitioners of human resources and labour relations and those wishing to know more about the law of work.
Learning outcomes
IDRL 320 is a senior-level course examining the framework of law related to work and employment in Canada, including common law, employment law, and labour law. After completing IDRL 320, you should be able to
- describe the historical origins of work law in Canada and the political and economic context that shapes it;
- explain the central principles and concepts that define employment in Canada;
- outline the key features of common law as it applies to employment;
- identify the central rights and obligations stipulated in statutory and regulatory employment law;
- describe the legal framework of Canada’s collective bargaining regime;
- summarize important recent jurisprudence that is shifting employment law in Canada;
- discuss international law and how it applies to Canada; and
- consider the implications of emerging work patterns to work law.
Evaluation
To receive credit for IDRL 320, you must obtain a mark of at least D (50 percent) on the final examination and a composite course grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite course grade is as follows.
| Activity | Weight |
| Telephone Quiz (Oral Answers) | 10% |
| Assignment 1 (Employment Standards Debate) | 15% |
| Assignment 2 (Collective Bargaining Scenarios) | 20% |
| Assignment 3 (Analytical Essay) | 25% |
| Final Online Examination | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University鈥檚 online Calendar.
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course鈥檚 start date:
Doorey, D. J. (2024). The law of work (3rd ed.). Emond Publishing.
All materials are available online at the course website and in the Digital Reading Room. In addition to your online materials, your course package also includes the above resource.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the IDRL 320 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent)on the examination.
Challenge for credit course registration form