MODULE I: FOUNDATIONS FOR LABOUR POLICY FORMULATION
This module covers courses that review classical theories of labour relations and the sociology of work, labour economics, labour policy formulation and the politics of democracy. These theories are presented from a contemporary African perspective.These courses are taught six hours a week for four weeks. Social research for policy formulation is taught as a component of this module over six weeks.
LPS 501: TRADE UNIONS AND POLICY FORMULATION (3 CREDITS)
The course to introduces students to the theory of public policy formulation as well as policy making, implementation and evaluation within the public sphere in general and trade unions in particular. The topics covered are: Policy (definition, types, and myths); politics and public administration; efficiency in public administration, approaches to policy making; elements of strategic planning; strategic objectives of trade unions; resource assessment and prioritisation; and designing strategic plans for trade unions.
LPS 502: LABOUR ECONOMICS (3 CREDITS)
This course aims at providing students with an overview of the basic concepts and principles in labour economics and how they relate to labour and work organisations in Africa. The topics covered include the definition, scope and basic concepts; wage determination; characteristics of the labour market in Africa; labour productivity and economic growth role of government and labour unions and private sector employers in the labour market.
LPS 503: DEMOCRACY & DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION (3 CREDITS)
The objective of the course is to provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of the concepts of democracy and democratic participation, while conveying an understanding of the functioning of democracy and democratic participation within the contexts of developed and developing countries. This course covers the following: definition of democracy and the evolution of political thought on democracy; principles of democracy; democracy in the African and developing world contexts; democratic institutions; structures and the development of democratic culture; concepts and theories of democratic participation; a survey of the main forms of democratic participation within and beyond the workplace; case studies.
LPS 504: LABOUR RELATIONS AND THE SOCIOLOGY OF WORK (3 CREDITS)
The objectives of this course are to introduce students to basic concepts of labour relations and the sociology of work, and provide an overview of the changes in the work situation. The topics include theories of industrial relations; the institutions of industrial relations; the nature and meaning of work in the formal and informal sectors; conditions of work and worker behaviour; globalisation, the organization of work and the impact on patterns of employment.
LPS 505: SOCIAL RESEARCH IN POLICY FORMULATION (3 CREDITS)
The objective of the course is to introduce students to different types of social research and their relevance in labour policy formulation. The topics covered include the rationale for, and ethics in research, types of research, and research design; the use of computers in data analysis; information technology and sources of information interpretation research results; report writing and presentation skills.
MODULE II: DEMOCRATIC POLICY FORMULATION
Courses in thismodulefocus on an in-depth treatment of major African trade union and labour policy challenges. These include gender dynamics in labour and trade unionism, the informal sector, the political economy of African nations, and labour legislation. The courses in the second module are also taught for four hours a week, over four weeks.
LPS 511: POLITICAL ECONOMY OF AFRICA (2 CREDIT)
The objective of the course is to provide basic knowledge of economics and its interaction with politics in Africa and how it impacts labour policy. The topics covered in this course are the structure and the performance of the economy in Africa; economic reforms in Africa; the role and response of trade unions and other civil society organisations; regional integration and economic development as well as country specific experiences.
LPS 512: GENDER IN LABOUR POLICY FORMULATION (2 CREDITS)
The course is designed to develop in students the ability to recognise and deal with issues related to gender in the work place and beyond. Topics to be covered are the social construction of gender; patriarchy and the labour market and the workplace; gender relations and organised labour; gender and labour policy formulation and case studies from students’ countries of origin.
LPS 513: LABOUR RELATIONS IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR (2 CREDITS)
This course is designed to reinforce students understanding of the structure and operation of the informal sector of African economies. Topics covered include the description and role of the informal sector in African economies; the types of labour, working conditions and structure of labour relations within the informal rural and urban sectors; gender and labour relations within the informal rural and urban sector; trade union policy and labour legislation and the informal sector; country specific situations.
LPS 514: LABOUR LEGISLATION (3 CREDITS)
The objectives of this course are to introduce students to the evolution of labour legislation and the role of labour laws in social protection. The course will cover the industrial revolution and the development of labour legislation. Other topics discussed are the origin and role of ILO conventions and recommendations; supervision mechanisms; labour legislation in pre and post-colonial era in Africa and case studies.
MODULE 11I SEMINARS
Courses in the third module take the form of seminars which discuss how to strengthen trade unions for participation in policy formulation and decision making. There is a seminar each week for five weeks, each lasting three hours.
LPS 521: STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION WITHIN TRADE UNIONS (SEMINAR COURSE: 3 CREDITS)
The objectives of the course are to provide students the opportunity to evaluate the internal democratic strategies and practices of African trade unions and generate in them the ability to design structures to improve the internal democracy within the trade unions. It also aims to provide students with a forum to debate the present forms of trade union membership and how it can be expanded. This course is presented in the form of seminars run between the second and seventh week of the programme. A total of six seminars are presented under the two themes “Expanding trade union membership frontiers” and “Improving internal democracy”. Three seminars each are devoted to topics under each theme. These include:
THEME ONE: EXPANDING TRADE UNION MEMBERSHIP FRONTIERS
Seminar I : Analysis of the organisational structures of African trade unions and how effective these are in promoting genuine internal democracy and participation.
Seminar II : “ Trade union pluralism and its implications for the labour movement.
Seminar III : “ The trade unions as vehicles for sustaining and deepening the democratisation process in Africa.
THEME TWO: IMPROVING INTERNAL DEMOCRACY
Seminar IV : Developing and strengthening trade union policy and strategies for expanding membership frontiers.
Seminar V : Trade union membership coverage across formal, private and informal sectors.
Seminar VI : “ Trade unions, women, the youth and the unemployed: Reaching the socially excluded.
These seminars culminate in the preparation and presentation of group policy papers by the students on some of the themes above.
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