Current Program

Labor Studies is designed to train students and workers in labor relations and trade union leadership skills, as well as to prepare them for positions in labor relations and government. Program courses, which reflect the goals of the college's Mission Statement, are given in cooperation with organized labor. Students, who are given an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the contributions of labor and the necessary skills for union leadership, enroll in the program for personal enrichment, to complete requirements for transfer to a four-year institution, to obtain a degree or certificate, for retraining or upgrading employment skills, and to learn skills in an area in which they have little or no knowledge (few union leaders train for their positions). In recent years several factors have affected program offerings, including the changing workforce, changes in union leadership, changes in student interests and students' increasing lack of basic skills, as well as changes in population and economic conditions and the addition of weekend classes.

Degrees and Certificates - An Associate in Arts degree and a Certificate of Completion are offered.

Personnel - At this time the department employs one full-time faculty member, 25 part-time faculty members, two full-time classified employees and one student employee.

Teaching Methodologies - The teaching methods most often used in the program include lecture, lecture/demonstration, large lecture/study groups, service based learning and small participatory groups in short-term scheduled programs ranging from two days to eight weeks.

Technology - No online courses are offered at this time.

Equipment - An HP printer/copier needs to be replaced.

Facilities - Labor Studies uses many off-campus sites. Current on-campus classrooms are too small, and LRC 107 and 110 need renovation. The air conditioning is often not working.

Future Program

Labor Studies will need to adapt to the following changing conditions within the next ten years: new technology and teaching methods, new curriculum, changes in student academic preparation and new facilities. In both the mid term (five years) and the long term (ten years) it is expected that enrollment in the program will increase at the same rate as the overall college enrollment. See Program Projections.

Degrees and Certificates - No additional degrees or certificates are planned.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - It is expected that teaching methods will expand to include more student-centered learning with the creation of some distance education courses.

Technology - Online courses and other alternative delivery systems could become a significant part of the program offerings. However, face-to-face time where students learn from each other is an important element in the classroom. The study of Labor Relations requires a large amount of explanation and question-and-answer, with students having the opportunity to share their experiences.

Equipment - In the next few years, a computer used in the program will need to be replaced.

Facilities - The program needs several large on-campus lecture/breakout rooms seating 60 to 100 students, especially for Saturday classes. These rooms should be equipped to handle multi-media presentations. Several (six to eight) small breakout rooms adjacent to lecture rooms are needed. As the program expands a larger office space will be needed.

Staff Development - Part-time faculty need workshops on teaching methods, grading, and college policies and practices. Other desirable topics include using technology in teaching.