Publication Date
9-1-1996
Document Type
Article
Organizational Units
Sturm College of Law
Keywords
Labor law, Labor law class, Law school class, Class simulation, Civil rights, Teaching, Simulation, Simulation exercise, Union, Union organizing
Abstract
Since I started teaching, in 1990, I have realized that the vast majority (probably more than 95 percent) of the students in my class on labor relations law have never worked in a unionized environment. Indeed, a great many have not worked in what has sometimes been termed an "industrial" or "blue collar" environment. As a result, I have found it difficult in class to contextualize cases and inculcate an appreciation for the collective consciousness that characterizes the union experience, especially in the industrial setting.
From my point of view, there were three substantial benefits to the simulation that I believe outweighed any costs. First, the simulation placed labor law in a context meaningful for law students. As a result, they learned more, and learned better. They were understandably more engaged in the material, knowing that it had meaning for them from day to day. Even after the simulation ended, it continued to serve as a learning resource for the class.
Second, the simulation gave the students some insight into the nuts and bolts of labor law practice. Students would approach me after class or in my office to ask skills-oriented questions.
Third, the simulation was effective in conveying the tension in labor law between individual and group rights. The tension I am referring to is the constant struggle between choosing to add to group leverage by joining in, or deciding instead that the group's goals are not your own and choosing to opt out. Students had to decide whether a student union would be in their own best interest.
Rights Holder
Roberto L. Corrada, Association of American Law Schools
File Format
application/pdf
Language
English (eng)
Extent
11 pgs
File Size
987 KB
Publication Statement
The Association of American Law Schools is the copyright holder of the edition of the Journal in which the article first appeared. Copyright is also held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
This article was originally published as Roberto L. Corrada, A Simulation of Union Organizing in a Labor Law Class, 46 J. Legal Educ. 445 (1996).
Volume
46
First Page
445
Last Page
455
Recommended Citation
Roberto L. Corrada, A Simulation of Union Organizing in a Labor Law Class, 46 J. Legal Educ. 445 (1996).