Document 6534628

MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 1 THIS IS A SAMPLE SYLLABUS ONLY. THE INSTRUCTOR MAY
MAKE CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS IN FUTURE COURSES.
MPA 604: Human Resource Management
Instructor: Timothy Smith
Class Times: Online Asynchronous
Office Hours:
• Appointments: -----------------• Walk-ins: -----------Office Location: HHB Room 415
Office phone: (205) 975-3413 or (205) 934-2339
Fax: (205) 975-5712
Email: [email protected] (Please note that I will make every effort to respond to
your emails within 24 hours of receipt)
Course Overview
Human resource management encompasses the traditional personnel functions of
recruitment, selection, training, motivation, compensation, evaluation, discipline, and
termination of employees. Each of those tasks demands particular skills. Increasingly,
human resource management is being recognized for its strategic importance to
organizations and jurisdictions, and is moving beyond its traditional position as a monitor
of compliance. This course is designed to provide you with an understanding of the
evolution of human resource management policies and practices, and how changes over
time reflect shifting societal values and environmental circumstances. Our emphasis is on
improving understanding of the historical context and current conditions of public sector
HRM and developing basic skills necessary to be an effectively manage human
resources.
Within the public sector, many of the most visible and interesting controversies, such as
affirmative action, employee ethics, sexual harassment, drug testing, and labormanagement relations, are part of human resource management. Human resources also
account for the largest percentage of the operating budget for most public agencies, and
public administrators must have both an appreciation for the costs of personnel decisions
and the ability to project those costs. In addition, constitutional, statutory and regulatory
requirements often constrain personnel decisions and actions in the public sector, and
public administrators must have a working knowledge of these legal guidelines. Public
administrators must recognize the political aspect of human resource management.
Human resource management policies and techniques are developed, implemented and
evaluated in a public (read political) context. Public sector HRM practices effect the
selection and experiences of government employees, which in turn, affects public policy.
In order to make and implement effective human resource management policies,
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 2 administrators need an appreciation of the political and historical context in which the
policies have developed to date.
In the current environment, a professional public administrator must be prepared to
advocate for the strategic importance of human resources, find ways to be flexible and
responsive to change, adapt to changing patterns of employment and intersectoral
relations, utilize technology to more effectively communicate with prospective and
existing employees, and develop more sophisticated and effective methods of measuring
and rewarding performance. This course is designed to help prepare the aspiring public
administrator and enhance the abilities of the practicing public administrator with respect
to the aforementioned challenges.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students should demonstrate a range of
knowledge and skill competencies. These competencies, which comprise the course
objectives, are listed below.
Knowledge Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course, students should
be able to:
1. Explain the development of public personnel policies in the United States at the
federal, state and local levels;
2. Identify fundamental values guiding public sector human resource management
policies and practices, and use examples to illustrate value tradeoffs;
3. Identify and apply major provisions of key pieces of legislation, administrative
guidelines and court rulings governing human resource management in the public
sector;
4. Discuss the most significant changes and challenges facing public sector human
resource management; and
5. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of one contemporary issue in human resource
management and the competencies required to respond professionally, creatively,
and ethically to that challenge.
Skill Competencies
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of an organization or jurisdiction’s human
resource management policies and practices, and develop specific
recommendations for moving the organization toward more strategic human
resource management (SHRM);
2. Locate and use information gathered through library, electronic, and field
research;
3. Communicate ideas professionally and effectively in class discussions, written
assignments, and formal presentations;
4. Develop valid performance criteria as part of a comprehensive performance
evaluation system; and
5. Apply class material to cases and make decisions regarding employee
recruitment, selection, accommodation, training, promotion, compensation,
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 3 discipline, evaluation and termination in the context of legal, political and value
considerations.
Required Text
Human Resource Management, 12/E (2010)
Gary Dessler
Prentice Hall
ISBN-13: 978-0136089957
Other reference sources and journal articles will be supplied in class.
Statement Concerning Students with Disabilities
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is committed to making reasonable
accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Those students with
disabilities that may have some impact on their coursework and for which they may
require accommodations should notify the UAB Disability Support Services (DSS) office
at (205) 934-4205 (voice) or (205) 934-4248 (TDD), or visit 516 Hill University Center.
You must present documentation of disability to receive DSS services. After DSS
receives your completed documentation, you will meet individually with a member of the
staff to discuss your accommodations. After registering with the DSS and obtaining
appropriate documentation, students should schedule an appointment to meet with the
instructor during the 1st full week of classes in order to discuss any special arrangements.
Communication
It is imperative that you check your e-mail and Blackboard routinely to see if there are
any changes or announcements.
Attendance Policy
A student taking an online class must post in his or her online course at least two days
each week between Day 1 and Day 7 of the week. A post is defined as posting in a
Discussion Area or posting an assignment in a Dropbox.
For online classes that begin on a Wednesday, the attendance week begins on Wednesday
at 12 am and ends on the following Tuesday at 11:59 pm. Students must post an original
and two follow-up posts per discussion board between Wednesday and Tuesday to meet
weekly attendance.
Note: Attendance and Substantive Participation are two different topics. The participation
for attendance is related to continued enrollment and financial aid. The posting
requirements in this section represent the minimum number to remain enrolled. Please
consult the Substantive Participation and Grading policies for recommendations related to
participation in the classroom.
Grading Components
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 4 Your grade in this course will be based upon your performance in four areas, each of
which includes several components, which are described in greater detail below:
1. Weekly Discussion Boards
2. Weekly Quizzes
3. Midterm Exam
4. Final Research Paper
The following components are the criteria for calculating the course grade:
Weekly Discussion Boards
260 pts.
31%
Weekly Quizzes
130 pts.
16%
Midterm Research Paper
140 pts.
17%
Final Research
300 pts.
36%
Total:
830 pts.
100%
1. Weekly Discussion Boards
Successful online learning requires active Discussion Area participation. Substantive
participation includes responses to discussion questions as well as discourse between
students related to the subject matter. Substantive responses must be based upon the
course content, theory, or personal experiences—not mere opinion. Examples of
substantive participation do not include posting assignments or a question a student might
have for the facilitator or the group. A simple “I agree” will not count. Substantive
responses should also include appropriate documentation/citation. The participation point
value in the learning experience is defined within each assignment as presented in the
assignment pages associated with each course and/or as directed by the facilitator.
Participation in the Discussion Area must be completed before each Tuesday at 11:59
p.m. A one-day period is defined as that period of twenty-four (24) hours from 12:00 a.m.
CST to 11:59 p.m. the same day. For participation to count for grades or assignments, it
must be posted within this time period.
Students are not required to participate on any specific day; however, students should
participate in each discussion assignment on at least two separate days. To facilitate
meaningful discussion throughout the week, students should attempt to post some
feedback earlier in the week and avoid waiting until the evening of Day 7 to post all of
the required feedback. All assignments must be posted by the due date. Students may post
assignments prior to the due date during the week the assignment is due.
Postings of assignments and e-mails to students and/or faculty outside of classroom
threads do not count as participation.
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 5 Students are expected to read all Discussion Area postings. The quality of the student
responses will be graded. Students will earn weekly participation grades based upon the
quality of their responses to weekly assignments, including discussion questions.
Everyone's comments are important. The diversity of experience among members of the
class will enhance learning. All students will be treated equitably within the classroom.
The classroom is a place of expression and discussion.
Communications will be respectful. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated, and the
facilitator has the right to determine what is appropriate. Disrespectful students are
subject to discipline or dismissal from the online learning platform for this course. All
activities in the classroom will follow standards set in the Student Handbook.
For absence due to prolonged serious illness or personal emergency the student is
expected to contact the facilitator as soon as possible. For absence due to technical
problems, the student is expected to follow the steps outlined below:
o Contact your instructor and/or technical support the same day you are
experiencing technical difficulties and work out a plan with your instructor
to make up missed assignments.
o Failure to notify the facilitator will be considered a missed deadline. All
assigned work must be completed regardless of the reason for absence.
2. Weekly Quizzes
Each week you will be assigned a quiz on the assigned reading for that week. Quizzes are
due no later than Tuesday at 11:59 pm of each week. The quizzes will remain available to
you from the beginning of the semester until the last day of the week it is due. Please note
that these quizzes will not be available to you after that point and I will not accept late
submissions or hard copies.
3. Midterm Research Paper
Each student will select a current issue in Human Resource Management for a brief
research paper. There are a multitude of topics, which a student could research within the
scope of this course. For ideas, look ahead in the readings.
Each paper must be a minimum of 5 pages in length and must include:
1. A description of the current controversies or challenges regarding the issue (why
it is relevant for the study of public or non-profit sector HRM)
2. A short review of the literature, which includes, at a minimum:
a. An explanation of the history of this issue (major laws or regulations,
milestone events, corresponding and competing values)
b. A discussion of some comparative perspectives on the issue (how is the
issue different in the public, private and nonprofit sectors; how is the issue
different at the local, state or national level of government or in different
regions of the country; OR how is the issue different in the United States
and in other countries).
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 6 c. A review of best practices regarding this issue (describe how this issue is
handled in a high performance organization or in a progressive
jurisdiction).
3. A discussion of competencies MPA graduates should have regarding this issue
(essential knowledge, skills and abilities for effective human resource
management on this issue).
Not included in the 5 pages are the following components:
1. A Title Page
2. An Abstract
3. Tables and Figures (if used)
4. References (a minimum of five required)
For this assignment, students should use books, peer-reviewed journal articles,
professional association publications, and electronic sources. Your writing should reflect
the style, tone and approach of professional journals in this discipline, such as Public
Administration Review, The Review of Public Personnel Administration, The American
Review of Public Administration, and Public Personnel Management.
Students must have their topics approved by the instructor. In selecting a topic, students
are encouraged to select a topic that addresses some component of one or more of the
major HRM issues identified in our Dessler textbook (2011). Within these broad issue
areas, students should narrowly focus their attention to avoid the pitfalls of inadequate
detail and superficial analysis. Please note: Wikipedia is strictly forbidden as an
information source in my classes. All completed work must be submitted via
Blackboard no later than 11:59 pm on Tuesday 10/09/2012. Your paper must be in
the form of a Microsoft Word document attachment. No late submissions will be
accepted.
For all writing assignments in this class, papers should follow these guidelines:
1. APA formatting
2. All papers are to be in # 12 Times New Roman Font and double spaced
3. Margins should be one inch on each side, top and bottom.
4. All pages must have a running head in the “Header” area that includes a title on
the flush left side of the page and a page number on the flush right side of the
page.
5. The minimum number of references required for each assignment must be cited in
the paper and listed on your reference page.
The following grading criteria will be used:
Assignment Grading Criteria
Maximum
Points
The paper demonstrates an understanding and ability to apply course material to the
50
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 7 chosen topic
The paper provides depth to the research by providing such things as specific examples,
multiple points of view, opposing points of view, analogies, quotes from various sources,
comparisons, lists of ideas, etc.
50
Used correct grammar, spelling, terminology, and citation using the correct APA writing
format
25
Used and cited the minimum number of required references for the assignment
15
Total:
140
4. Final Research Paper
You will select a public organization or non-profit to conduct an Organizational Human
Resource Management Profile and Assessment. It is not necessary to select an
organization with a defined HR department or a designated director of personnel. All
agencies have HR issues even if they do not have separate HR departments. The paper
will be due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday 12/05/2012, and must be in the form of a
Microsoft Word Document attachment. No late submissions will be accepted.
Your task for this project is to gather information from published documents, interviews
with agency officials, and/or other sources that permit you to describe and evaluate
human resource management policies and practices in the agency. Your broad charge is
to analyze the extent to which and manner in which the agency or jurisdiction is dealing
with any major HRM issue identified in the Dessler textbook. To accomplish this task,
your report should include:
1. A description of the organization, including its mission, size, scope, number and
types of employees;
2. An explanation of the values espoused by the organization related to recruitment,
retention, motivation, evaluation, discipline, etc.;
3. A review of major human resource management policies and practices;
4. An assessment of the effectiveness of human resource management in the
organization, including the fit between philosophy and operating policies, and the
extent to which the organization is addressing your chosen issue and specific
recommendations (short and long term) for improving one or more aspects of the
organization’s approach to this issue.
This assignment will address the following key learning objective for this class:
Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of one contemporary issue in human resource
management and the competencies required to respond professionally, creatively,
and ethically to that challenge.
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 8 To prepare for this project, students will need to obtain instructor approval of the agency
or non-profit your group has chosen to exam. All interviews may be conducted in person,
by phone, or via email, depending on the location of the agency and the preferences of
the agency officials.
Your paper should be a minimum of 10 pages and meet the following guidelines:
1. APA formatting
2. All papers are to be in # 12 Times New Roman Font and double spaced
3. Margins should be one inch on each side, top and bottom.
4. All pages must have a running head in the “Header” area that includes a title on
the flush left side of the page and a page number on the flush right side of the
page.
5. The minimum number of references must be cited in the paper and listed on your
reference page (a minimum of 10 required).
Not included in the 10 pages are the following components:
1. A Title Page
2. An Abstract
3. Tables and Figures (if used)
4. References (a minimum of 10 required)
Assignment Grading Criteria
Maximum
Points
Presentation and work demonstrates an understanding and ability to apply course
material to the chosen topic
100
The paper provides depth to the research by providing such things as specific examples,
multiple points of view, opposing points of view, analogies, quotes from various sources,
comparisons, lists of ideas, etc.
125
Used correct grammar, spelling, terminology, and citation using the correct APA writing
format
50
The paper used and cited the minimum number of required references for the assignment
25
Total:
300
Late Submission Policy
In the learning environment as well as in the real-work environment, due dates are
essential. Our assignments have due dates to ensure that the student can successfully
complete the class in an accelerated timeframe while also benefiting from instructor and
peer input prior to completing each new assignment. Also important is timely
participation in the threaded discussions to maximize the learning experience for all
parties.
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 9 To avoid late penalty deductions, assignments should be submitted on or prior to the due
date. A student needs to contact his/her instructor prior to the due date to discuss possible
options when circumstances beyond the student's control prevent or will be preventing
him or her from completing the assignments by the deadline. When circumstances are
beyond the control of the student, an alternate due date will be set. In this situation, a
penalty may or may not be assigned, at the discretion of the instructor.
If a student does not make prior arrangements with the instructor and fails to turn
individual work in on time or if the alternate due date for the late assignment is missed,
the following deductions may be applied:
Calendar Days Late
1 day
2 days
3 days
4 days
5 days
6 days
7 days
More than one week
Maximum Point Deduction
Up to 10%
Up to 20%
Up to 30%
Up to 40%
Up to 50%
Up to 60%
Up to 70%
No assignments will be accepted
one week after the assigned due
date.
APA Formatting
APA stands for American Psychological Association, and is a writing style to ensure a
professional standard of writing by its members, primarily coming from fields in the
social sciences, healthcare, and education. Note that APA style is the required citation
style in all courses taught by Prof. Smith.
Part of being good students and researchers is to give credit to those whose ideas and
work helps to inform our own. As writers of academic work, we draw from and build on
the work of previous scholars and professionals. When we present our writing, we want
to show our readers that we are knowledgeable about our topics and that we have
informed ourselves by seeking out opinions written by others who are experts on these
topics. When we document our sources, we share with our readers the research we have
done to develop our balanced and reasoned positions that we present in our own writing.
To demonstrate our credibility as writers and professionals, we use APA style—an
agreed upon set of rules—to lead our readers to the original source material that we have
used in preparing our work. These rules comprise the formal conventions for writing that
are respected in our professional fields and help us to communicate professionally with
colleagues and peers.
APA has also been inferred as the "Author/date" system because there is a focus on both
the author and the date the article or study was published. This focus on the date is
important since things change rapidly in our fields of study.
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 10 You will find very useful information on APA formatting at this weblink:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Academic Integrity and other university policies:
Students are expected abide by the University’s Code of Conduct and the Academic
Honor Code: ( http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=38715 ). Students not adhering to the
Student Code of Conduct or the Honor Code will face disciplinary action, which could
result in receiving an “F” in this course.
I expect all students to conduct their academic affairs in an honest and responsible
manner. Read the following carefully as these policies will be strictly enforced. Any
student found guilty of dishonesty shall receive a grade of zero for the assignment in
which the dishonesty was detected (at minimum). Acts of academic dishonesty include,
but are not limited to:
•
Plagiarism, i.e., the intentional appropriation of the work, be it ideas or phrasing
of words, of another without crediting the source. Whether the student has read or
heard of the information used, the student must document the source of
information. When utilizing written sources, a clear distinction should be made
between quotations (which reproduce information from the source word-for-word
within quotation marks) and paraphrases (restatements of the source information
produced in the student’s own words). This includes cutting and pasting from a
website. I remind you that direct quotations must be noted as such. Direct
quotations and paraphrases must both be documented. Even though a student
rephrases, condenses or selects from another person’s work the ideas are still the
other person’s and failure to give credit constitutes misrepresentation of the
student’s actual work and plagiarism of another person’s idea. Purchasing a paper
or copying another person’s work and handing it in as the student’s personal work
is plagiarism and misrepresentation.
•
Cheating: i.e., unauthorized collaboration of use of external information during
examinations;
•
Assisting fellow students in committing an act of cheating;
•
Falsely obtaining, distributing, using or receiving test materials or academic
research materials;
•
Submitting examinations, and papers or other work as one’s own when such work
has been prepared by another person or copied from another person (by placing
his/her own name on a paper, the student is certifying that it is his/her own work);
or
•
Improperly altering and/or inducing another to improperly alter any academic
record.
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 11 In cases of alleged academic dishonesty, the instructor shall attempt to discuss the matter
with the student and explain the sanction(s) which he/she plans to impose. In the event
that the student challenges the allegation of academic dishonesty, or is not satisfied with
the sanction(s) imposed by the instructor, the student may file an appeal according to the
approved appeal policies of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. All policies in the
UAB Graduate catalog and the MPA Student Guide apply to this course.
Tentative Class Schedule
Week 1: 08/15/2012 – 08/21/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 08/21/2012:
o Review Week 1 Overview
o Read Chapter 1 in your textbook
o Review Chapter 1 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 1 quiz
Week 2: 08/22/2012 – 08/28/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 08/28/2012:
o Review Week 2 Overview
o Read Chapter 2 in your textbook
o Review Chapter 2 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 2 quiz
Week 3: 08/29/2012 – 09/04/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 09/04/2012:
o Review Week 3 Overview
o Read Chapter 3 in your textbook
o Review Chapter 3 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 3 quiz
Week 4: 09/05/2012 – 09/11/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 09/11/2012:
o Review Week 4 Overview
o Read Chapter 4 in your textbook
o Review Chapter 4 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 4 quiz
Week 5: 09/12/2012 – 09/18/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 09/18/2012:
o Review Week 5 Overview
MPA 604 Sample Syllabus o
o
o
o
Read Chapter 5 in your textbook
Review Chapter 5 PowerPoint Presentation
Participate in both weekly discussion boards
Complete Week 5 quiz
Week 6: 09/19/2012 – 09/25/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 09/25/2012:
o Review Week 6 Overview
o Read Chapter 6 in your textbook
o Review Chapter 6 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 6 quiz
Week 7: 09/26/2012 – 10/02/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 10/02/2012:
o Review Week 7 Overview
o Read Chapter 7 in your textbook
o Review Chapter 7 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 7 quiz
Week 8: 10/03/2012 – 10/09/2012
o Midterm Writing Assignment due by 11:59 pm on Tuesday 10/09/2012
(see the Midterm Writing Assignment tab in the upper area of the class
shell)
o No other assignments this week
Week 9: 10/10/2012 – 10/16/2012
o Fall Break
o No Assignments
Week 10: 10/17/2012 – 10/23/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 10/23/2012:
o Review Week's 8 & 9 Overview
o Read Chapters 8 & 9 in your textbook
o Review Chapter's 8 & 9 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 10 quiz
Week 11: 10/24/2012 – 10/30/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 10/30/2012:
o Review Week's 10 & 11 Overview
o Read Chapters 10 & 11 in your textbook
o Review Chapter's 10 & 11 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 11 quiz
12 MPA 604 Sample Syllabus 13 Week 12: 10/31/2012 – 11/06/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 11/06/2012:
o Review Week's 12 & 13 Overview
o Read Chapters 12 & 13 in your textbook
o Review Chapter's 12 & 13 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 12 quiz
Week 13: 11/07/2012 – 11/13/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 11/13/2012:
o Review Week's 14 & 15 Overview
o Read Chapters 14 & 15 in your textbook
o Review Chapter's 14 & 15 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 13 quiz
Week 14: 11/14/2012 – 11/20/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 11/20/2012:
o Review Week's 16 & 17 Overview
o Read Chapters 16 & 17 in your textbook
o Review Chapter's 16 & 17 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 14 quiz
Week 15: 11/21/2012 – 11/27/2012
o Thanksgiving Break
o No Assignments
Week 16: 11/28/2012 – 12/05/2012
To be completed by11:59 pm on Tuesday 12/05/2012:
o Review Week 16 Overview
o Read Chapter 18 in your textbook
o Review Chapter 18 PowerPoint Presentation
o Participate in both weekly discussion boards
o Complete Week 16 quiz
o Turn in final paper (See Final Writing Assignment tab in the upper section
of the class shell)
Please note: This syllabus is subject to change at the Instructor’s
discretion.