Topic outline

  • MDK 200 Ship Business and Labor Relations

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    Course Description

    This course provides instruction in the organization, administrative functions and management of a merchant vessel as well as the systems of operation of ship’s business.  It includes the study of union contracts, grievance procedures and labor management relations.


  • Topic 1

    Image of Textbook

    Week 1

    In week one, you will be introduced to the online MDK 200 Ship Business and Labor Relations course. This week will require you to navigate the Moodle course, become familiarized with the course syllabus, communicate with the instructor, and review the first lesson on the Ship's Master. The required textbook for the class is the Master's Handbook on Ship's Business, 3rd Edition (ISBN 0870335316). In addition to this textbook, there are also assigned weekly readings provided through Moodle.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.

    • Required Reading

    • URL icon
      Course Syllabus URL

      After reviewing the Course Syllabus, please take the Syllabus Quiz.

    • URL icon
      Online Communication Policy URL

      Proper communication is an essential skill in multiple professional situations. This section provides resources for business communication. After reviewing these resources, please complete the Communications Assignment.

    • URL icon
      Email Etiquette URL
    • URL icon
      Email Etiquette for Students URL
    • URL icon
      General Guidelines for Business Writing URL

    • Master's Handbook on Ship's Business - Chapter 1

    • File icon
      Week 1 Lecture Slides: The Master File
      673.2 KB Powerpoint 2007 presentation
      View

    • Homework Assignments

    • Quiz icon
      Syllabus Quiz - Due by August XX, 2020
    • Assignment icon
      HW 1: Communication Assignment - Due by August XX, 2020

      Email me (XXXXXX@nmc.edu) from your NMC student account. Do not email me at XXXXXX@mail.nmc.edu. 

      • The subject of your email should be "Communications Assignment". 
      • Your message should include an appropriate salutation ("Captain XXXX," or "Mr. XXXXXXx," will work fine). 
      • The message of your email:  "This email is for my communications assignment."
      • Include a closing ("Sincerely," or "Regards," will work fine).
      • Type your full name below the closing.

    • Discussion Forum

    • Forum icon
      Class Introduction Forum - Due by August XX, 2020

  • Topic 2

    Image of Captain's Shoulder Boards

    Week 2

    In week two, we will continue to discuss the responsibilities of the Master and review United States Laws. The Powerpoint lecture slides provide background into the criminal and civil liability of the Master. The readings from the text provide a broad overview of the rules and regulations that impact transportation by sea.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


  • Topic 3

    Image of Marpol Placard

    Week 3

    In week three, you will be introduced to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and Marine Casualty Reporting. MARPOL is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.

    The MARPOL convention includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations - and currently includes six technical Annexes. Special Areas with strict controls on operational discharges are included in most Annexes.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


    • Required Reading

    • Master's Handbook on Ship's Business - Chapters 3 & 4

    • File icon
      Week 3 Lecture Slides: International Code & Conventions File
      1.7 MB Powerpoint 2007 presentation

    • The following documents provide more information on the International Code and Conventions discussed in the lecture slides.

    • Folder icon
      Documents Folder
    • File icon
      Week 3 Lecture Slides - Vessel Accidents & Incidents Part 1 File
      11.8 MB Powerpoint 2007 presentation

    • The following documents provide more information on Vessel Accidents and Incidents discussed in the lecture slides.

    • Folder icon
      Documents Folder


    • Homework Assignments

    • Quiz icon
      HW 3: Vessel Casualty Reporting - USCG Questions - Due by September XX, 2020 Quiz

    • Research Report - Discussion Forum

    • Image of discussion board

    • Page icon
      Research Report Topic Page

      Please fill out the Google Forms survey on your intended research report topic by Monday, September XX.  I will respond with 48 hours with either a go-ahead or suggested changes.

    • Page icon
      Module Discussion Guidelines and Grading Rubric Page
    • Page icon
      Review the rules of Netiquette Page
    • Forum icon
      Research Report Topic Forum

      Post your intended ship's business research report topic. Post your initial online discussion by September XX, 2020 and reply to two of your classmate's posts by September XX, 2020.

      Things to consider:

      • Can you broaden or condense the topic area?
      • Any resources that you are willing to share (i.e., peer-reviewed articles, websites, blogs, videos, reference material, etc.)?
      • Do you believe that the topic is aligned with the topic areas of the class?

  • Topic 4

    Image of Genius Star Collision

    Week 4

    In week four, we will finish up the discussion on Incidents and Accidents with a review of post-accident drug and alcohol testing requirements. Additionally, we will shift gears to the next topic area of vessel security.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


    • Required Reading

    • Master's Handbook on Ship's Business - Chapter 5 & 6

    • File icon
      Week 4 Lecture Slides - Incidents and Accidents Part 2 File
      236.5 KB Powerpoint presentation
    • File icon
      Week 4 Lecture Slides - Drug and Alcohol Testing File
      751.6 KB Powerpoint 2007 presentation

    • The following documents provide more information on Drug and Alcohol testing as discussed in the lecture slides.

    • Folder icon
      Documents Folder
    • File icon
      Week 4 Lecture Slides - Vessel Security File
      2.3 MB Powerpoint 2007 presentation

    • The following documents provide more information on Vessel Security as discussed in the lecture slides.

    • Folder icon
      Documents Folder

    • Homework Assignments

    • Quiz icon
      HW 4: Accident Reporting - USCG Questions- Due by September XX, 2020 Quiz

  • Topic 5

    Image of Shipping Articles

    Week 5

    In week 5, you will learn about Shipping Articles. The Shipping Articles specify the name of the ship, the conditions of employment, seamen's compensation, the nature of the voyage(s) and duration and the regulations to be observed aboard ship and in port, including punishable offenses and punishments. You will also need to complete Test #1 by the end of the week.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


    • Required Reading

    • Master's Handbook on Ship's Business - Chapter 7 & Appendix A

    • File icon
      Week 5 Lecture Slides - Shipping Articles File
      4.1 MB Powerpoint 2007 presentation

    • The following documents provide more information on the Shipping Articles as discussed in the lecture slides.

    • Folder icon
      Documents Folder

    • Homework Assignments

    • File icon
      HW 5: Test #1 Homework- Due by September XX, 2020 File
      234.2 KB PDF document
    • Assignment icon
      HW 5: Test 1 Homework Submission Assignment

    • Test

    • Quiz icon
      Test #1 Quiz

      Test #1 must be completed by 2359, September XX, 2020.

  • Topic 6

    Image of Offical Logbook

    Week 6

    In week six, we will discuss the requirements and usage of Logbooks. We will also look more closely at the required documents and certificates for shipboard operations.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


    • Required Reading

    • Master's Handbook on Ship's Business - Chapters 8, 9, & 10

    • File icon
      Week 6 Lecture Slides - Logbooks File
      22.5 MB Powerpoint 2007 presentation

    • The following documents provide more information on Logbooks as discussed in the lecture slides.

    • Folder icon
      Documents Folder
    • File icon
      Week 6 Lecture Slides - Documents & Certificates File
      3.2 MB Powerpoint 2007 presentation

    • Homework Assignments

    • File icon
      HW 6: Questions from Chapter 9 and Section Review- Due by October XX, 2020 File
      221.1 KB PDF document
    • Assignment icon
      HW 6: Chapter 9 Homework Submission Assignment
    • Quiz icon
      HW 7: Government and Regulatory Agencies - USCG Questions- Due by October XX, 2020 Quiz

    • Research Report - Discussion Forum

    • Image of discussion board

    • Page icon
      Module Discussion Guidelines and Grading Rubric Page
    • Forum icon
      Research Report Introduction and Outline Forum

      Writing is an iterative process. This discussion provides the opportunity to review your peer's work and provide feedback. Post your research report introduction and outline. Post your initial online discussion by October XX, 2020, and reply to two of your classmate's posts by October XX, 2020.

      Questions to consider when reviewing your peer's work:

      • Does it Introduce the topic
      • Create some context and background
      • State the rationale
      • Explain why is topic is important
      • Does it state a hypothesis
      • Any suggestions on broadening or condensing the topic area
      • Do you have any resources to share based on your work and research (i.e, peer-reviewed articles, websites, videos, textbooks, etc.)

  • Topic 7

    Image of ENOAD

    Week 7

    In week seven, we will discuss the entry requirements from sailing foreign along with introducing the Electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure (eNOAD).

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


  • Topic 8

    Image of accounting

    Week 8

    In week eight, we will discuss Vessel Accounting and Bills of Lading. You will also need to complete Test #2 and the  Research Report Status Update form by the end of the week.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


    • Required Reading

    • Master's Handbook on Ship's Business - Chapter 14

    • File icon
      Week 8 Lecture Slides - Bill of Lading PP File
      1.2 MB Powerpoint 2007 presentation

    • The following documents provide more information on the Bill of Lading as discussed in the lecture slides.

    • File icon
      USCODE-1999-title46-subtitleII-partG-chap111-sec11109 File
      131.4 KB PDF document



    • Homework Assignments

    • File icon
      HW 10: Questions from Chapter 13 - Due by October XX, 2020 File
      222.3 KB PDF document
    • Assignment icon
      HW 10: Chapter 13 Homework Submission Assignment

    • Test

    • Quiz icon
      Test #2 Quiz

      Test #2 must be completed by 2359 October XX, 2020.

    • Research Report

    • Page icon
      Research Report Status Update Page

  • Topic 9

    Image of a bulk carrier

    Week 9

    In week nine, we will discuss Charter Parties along with Foreign Ports and Etiquette. The Charter Party is a contract by which the owner of a ship lends it use to others for the transportation of cargo. Depending on the type of Charter Party, the shipowner can continue to control the navigation and management of the vessel, but the cargo requirements are overseen by the charterer.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


    • Required Reading

    • Master's Handbook on Ship's Business - Chapters 15, 18, &19

    • File icon
      Week 9 Lecture Slides - Charter parties #1 PP File
      79.7 KB Powerpoint 2007 presentation

    • Homework Assignments

    • No assigned homework this week. Continue to work on your research paper.

  • Topic 10

    Image of turning circle

    Week 10

    In week ten, you will be introduced to the development of maritime labor unions. You will also review two of your peer's research papers. Appropriate feedback through a graded rubric and comments will assist your peers with the writing process.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.

    • Required Reading

    • File icon
      Week 10 Lecture Slides - Union History File
      83.3 MB Powerpoint presentation

    • Homework Assignments

    • The assigned homework this week is the Research Paper peer review. Complete the peer reviews and continue to work on your research paper.

    • Discussion Forum

    • Image of discussion board

    • Workshop icon
      Research Report Workshop Activity
    • File icon
      MDK200 Research Rubric File
      98.3 KB PDF document
    • URL icon
      MDK200 Research Report Rubric - GoogleDoc URL

  • Topic 11

    Image of merchant mariner

    Week 11

    In week eleven, you will learn about the grievance process of collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, you will get the opportunity to review a current unlicensed contract. As a reminder, you will also need to complete Test #3 by the end of the week.

    • Required Reading

    • File icon
      Week 11 Lecture Slides - Grievences File
      127.2 KB Powerpoint 2007 presentation
    • File icon
      Unlicensed Final 2011 Contract1 grn File
      415.6 KB PDF document

    • Homework Assignments

    • No assigned homework this week.

    • Test

    • Quiz icon
      Test #3 Quiz

  • Topic 12

    Image of a contract

    Week 12

    The only assignment for week twelve is finishing your research paper.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


    • Required Reading

    • No required reading this week.

    • Homework Assignments

    • No assigned homework this week.

    • Research Paper  - Due November XX, 2020

    • Page icon
      Leadership Philosophy Paper Page
    • Assignment icon
      Research Report Assignment

  • Topic 13

    Image of Research Paper

    Week 13

    In week thirteen, we will discuss leadership. Please review the two Simon Sinek YouTube videos on leadership. Also, review the requirements for the Leadership Philosophy assignment. This assignment will be due on December XX, 2020.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


    • Required Reading

    • File icon
      Week 13 Lecture Slides - New Managers File
      909.3 KB Powerpoint 2007 presentation
    • File icon
      Taetsch PLP File
      195.6 KB PDF document




  • Topic 14

    Image of Rena grounding

    Week 14

    In week fourteen, you will learn about fatigue and its impact on the workplace. We will also discuss Marine Insurance and U.S. Tort Law.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


  • Topic 15

    Image of George Stinson

    Week 15

    In week fifteen, continue working on your Leadership Philosophy paper. You will also need to complete Test #4 by the end of the week.

    The following section allows you to access the reading material and find information on this week's assignments.


  • Topic 16

    Image of sunset

    Finals Week

    This is the final week of MDK 200 Ship's Business. The Final Exam must be completed at the NMC Student Success Testing Center by December XX, 2020. Also, remember to fill out the course evaluation and have a good break!