Alternative models of industrial relations graduate programs in Canadian and U. S. universities

The work of Boivin (1992) and Meltz (1992) on the issue of industrial relations as a discipline is expanded by exploring the implications of this debate for graduate curricula. The debate over whether industrial relations constitutes a discipline is presented, and then some of the implications of the outcome of this debate for the development of industrial relations teaching units and curriculum content are discussed. The alternative organizational approaches to graduate-level study of industrial relations in Canada and the US are broadly characterized. Some of the factors giving rise to the wide variety of programs observed in both countries are presented. Like Boivin, undergraduate labor studies programs are not considered. Some of the factors influencing changes in program content are considered, and the implications of these for the future study of and instruction in industrial relations are discussed.