International Programs

German Employment Relations: Berlin Study Tour (PDF)

Summer: May 7 – 15, 2005

Sponsored by the School of Labor and Industrial Relations in the College of Social Science arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA).

What’s this program about?

This program will provide students with a deep understanding of the institutional networks that make up employment relations and human resource practices in Germany. Students will have the opportunity to in interact with key actors in German employment relations systems through visits to employers, labor unions, and the German labor ministry, as well as opportunities to network with German graduate students.

The program will cover the following topics:

• Comparative employment relations theory
• The role of employer associations, labor unions, and public institutions in determining the employment relations practice
• Human resource practices at the firm level

Additionally, students will learn how the European Union influences the German workplace.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll in three (3) credits in the following course:

LIR 891 German Employment Relations: Berlin Study Tour 3 cr.

The instruction in Germany will be conducted at the Institute for Political Science in the Department of Political and Social Science at the Free University in Berlin. Dr. Michael Fichter of the Free University and Dr. Peter Berg of Michigan State University will deliver the lectures.

Where will I live?

Students will share a double room at the Hotel Concept in the heart of west Berlin. This hotel is located the midst of the Berlin nightlife and offers easy access to locations in east Berlin through public transportation.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Peter Berg
School of Labor and Industrial Relations
411 S. Kedzie Hall
Phone: (517) 432-4771
E-mail: bergp@msu.edu

Am I eligible?

MSU graduate students only who have completed LIR 858 (Collective Bargaining) or who have obtained permission from the instructor are eligible for this program.

All students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 3.0 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $859 and includes accommodations, meals, accident and sickness insurance and field trips. Amounts not included in the program fee included MSU tuition and fees, airfare, and personal spending money.

For detailed information about costs for this program, log-on to the program Web site listed at the bottom of this page.

Once enrolled in courses, students will receive a bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee and tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How do I apply?

Students can apply for this program by completing a study abroad application (available at OSA and on the OSA Web site) and submitting it to 109 International Center.

Applications must be received by March 1st for summer participation.

Detailed information about application procedures and the acceptance process can be found on the application form itself or on the OSA Web site at: http://studyabroad.msu.edu