Labor Education Programs at LER
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online course?
An online course is the same as a classroom course except the entire course takes place online, using the university’s Compass instructional software. There are no face-to-face meetings. Lectures, web-based reading, web-based videos, and exams are all easily accessible through Compass. The course is divided into segments, each lasting one to three weeks. The heart of the course takes place in the discussion forums where students interact with one another, debating and analyzing questions posed by the instructor. You are required to do the reading in a timely manner and to demonstrate you’ve done the reading in the graded forum posts. LER online courses are in essence online seminars.
Do I have to log onto an online course at designated times?You can log on at times that are convenient to you. Online courses are designed to be extremely flexible. Online courses are perfect for students with a busy work, school, and personal schedule. An online course is available to you 24/7.
What online courses does LER offer?Check out our course listings and our calendar.
What is a compressed second-eight-weeks course?LER also offers compressed, second-eight-week, three-credit courses each fall and spring semester. These are ideal for students who drop a course mid-semester and need to add a second-eight-weeks course that fits in with their work and school schedules. As well, LER offers eight-week online courses in the summer semester. You must be very diligent in compressed courses, setting aside enough time each day to complete all of the reading, post to the discussion forums, read other students’ and the instructor’s forum posts, and take tests. You are required to do just as much work as if you were taking the course over a 15-week semester.
What if I don’t know how to navigate Compass?The course will not include time for you to learn Compass, but Compass is easy to learn and LER courses are easy to navigate. Students who need technical assistance and support should:
1. Go the CITES website to learn the basics about Compass:
2. Visit or call the CITES “Help Desk.”
3. If all else fails, contact LER online coordinator Prof. Steven Ashby.
How much does it cost?For University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Students the same tuition range applies to LER online courses as to all University courses. There is a seperate tuition for non-University of Illinois students, who enroll through Academic Outreach.
What about books? Is there other reading besides the assigned texts?You buy assigned books through the Illini Union bookstore just as you would for a face-to-face course, or through an online bookstore. Each course will also include some web-based reading such as web-based articles, websites, and book chapters and journal articles accessed through the UIUC library electronic reserves. All web-based reading is easily accessible through Compass.
What about grading?The course syllabus will outline course requirements. Each week you do the reading and then log on multiple times to read and post to discussion forums, responding to questions posed by the instructor. You are graded on your participation (content, length, number of posts, and timing) in each forum. Generally participation in the forums is 40-50% of your course grade. Exams may be multiple-choice and true/false taken on Compass, or essay exams you submit through Compass. Upper-level courses require more writing than lower-level courses. Grades are posted to the course gradebook on Compass.
How do I contact my instructor?Email your instructor through Compass email. You can also call your instructor; look for your instructor’s contact information in the syllabus.
What computer hardware and software do I need to take online courses?You can take online courses using an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox on a modern PC or Macintosh computer with Internet access. Successful students should be comfortable typing, using basic word processing, and accessing the Internet. Downloadable lectures are written in Microsoft Word. The faster your Internet connection (DSL or cable) the easier it will be for you to move quickly through course material on Compass.
What is the School of Labor and Employment Relations?
The School of Labor and Employment Relations was founded as the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations in 1948. The majority of the faculty teach human resources courses for graduate students pursuing a Master’s degree or a Ph.D. LER also employs seven faculty who teach noncredit courses to unionists and who teach online UIUC credit courses. The field of Labor Studies analyzes issues facing workers and labor from a multi-disciplinary perspective, drawing on and synthesizing the fields of sociology, history, economics, political science, business, international studies, and industrial relations. Online labor studies courses cover such subjects as workers, work issues, unions, social class, race and gender in the workplace, labor and employment law, and globalization.
Can I earn a degree from the University of Illinois entirely online?
In spring 2008 Labor and Employment Relations offered our first online courses. By spring 2009 we had 9 online courses, in the fall two more, and each semester we will offer more. We currently offer a minor (18 credit hours). We are building towards the creation of a new B.A. degree in “Global Labor Studies.”
Who do I contact if I have a question about Labor and Employment Relations’ Online Courses?Contact LEP Program Coordinator Yesenia Vargas at illinoislabored@illinois.edu. Yesenia Vargas is in the LER Labor Education Program’s Chicago office at (312) 996-2624.