MANAGEMENT 3320Human Resources Summer, 2008
Professor: Dr. Myrtle P. BellWebsite: http://management.uta.edu/Dr.Bell/main.htm
Office Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30 – 10:15
Office Location: 214 Business Bldg.
E-mail: Please DO-NOT e-mail assignments and do not slip them under my door or turn
into the management office. Turn in assignments in class only.
Phone: (817) 272-3857
Please turn off your cell phones and pagers before class!
Please read syllabus carefully and refer to it throughout the course term.
Required Materials
1.Managing Human Resources, 14th edition. (2007) Bohlander & Snell.
Bring your book to class each day as there will be work and exercises or quizzes on some days.
The 13th edition and “international editions” are not the same as the 14th editions.
2. 882E SCANTRONS for Exams (4) and Quizzes (up to 4).
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to help you gain familiarity with a broad array of techniques, facts, theories, and research results in human resource management (HR).The increasing importance of human resource management in virtually all aspects of businesses will be emphasized.
HR is an exciting and expanding field, with relevance to everyone who plans to work. Regardless of whether your future career plans are working in the HR or any other field, you will continually be involved with HR issues as an employee and as a manager. Thus, HR is something everyone needs to learn about. New issues and findings are continually developing, and HR activities are often in the news. As part of the learning process, we will discuss many of these items as they occur. You are also encouraged to share current or prior on-the-job experiences as they relate to human resource management.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, students should have a thorough understanding of the management of human resources in organizations. Specifically, student should:
1.be able to identify and explain the standard resources functions and how they relate to and interact with each other.
2.be able to discuss the legislation and acts that are related to human resources functions and explain the legal and social issues that affect today’s workers and organizations.
3.be able to discuss factors related to the management of human resources, including the interview process, reliability and validity of selection and performance evaluation instruments, training and career development, discipline, and other areas.
4.understand and be able to express the importance of human resources activities to all workers, regardless of level, job, or organization.
Course Format:
Classes will be interactive, with both the instructor and students sharing in the process. Students should read assigned materials prior to the class date and be prepared for discussions, exercises, and quizzes. It is to your advantage to stay current with readings and assignments. A variety of learning tools will be used to develop and enhance your understanding of the subject matter, including: experiential exercises, small group activities, videos, case analyses, current events, and class discussions.
Please turn off cell phones and pagers before class. Please do not read newspapers or other course materials, text message or use your computer for e-mailing, instant messaging, games, or other non-course activities.
Grading:
Quiz 1, Thursday, 5/29, 20 points
Exam 1, Thursday, 6/5, 40 points
Exam 2, Thursday, 6/12,40 points
Exam 3, Thursday, 6/19, 40 points
Exam 4, Thursday 6/27, 40 points
Lowest exam grade is dropped.
Other (Attendance/Exercises/Quizzes) grade (50 points possible)
Total Possible Points: Exams 1-4120 points
Other50 points
Maximum Possible Points:170
Grading Scale: 90% A; 80% B; 70% C; 60% D; <60% F
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Exams
Exams will consist of primarily multiple choice questions may also include some short answer, true/false, and/or essay questions. You will need SCANTRON 882E forms for each exam. Exams will consist of material in the text, material covered in class (including exercises, discussions, videos, etc), and outside reading as assigned. The exams will require you to understand and be able to apply course concepts, rather than simply memorize them. It is to your advantage to answer end of chapter questions and to study the examples in the book and those presented in class. This will help you develop an understanding of and ability to apply concepts.
Exam dates are generally not changed; the content/coverage of material on the exams may change based on material covered and needs of the class. The lowest exam grade is dropped, but it is to your advantage to take all exams. There are NO MAKE-UPS for missed exams. If you miss an exam, that exam will count as your lowest grade. If you miss two exams, one will be counted as a zero.
Assignments, In Class Exercises and Quizzes
The purpose of assignments and in-class exercises is to assist you in further understanding the course material and to encourage your thorough out-of-class preparation. Be sure to follow the instructions for assignments. Some assignments are on the syllabus at the start of the semester; others will be announced in class and students are responsible for those announced in class. Take a look at those already listed to be prepared for when they are due. All assignments must be computer printed or typed and should be free of mechanical problems (e.g., hanging paragraphs), spelling and word usage errors (e.g., their for there; it’s for its, etc), and hand-written assignmentswill not be accepted. Do not e-mail assignments to me.Do keep a copy of everything you turn in and everything that is returned to you.
Note: All assignments must be type-written and should be stapled or paper clipped (e.g., do not fold the top corner) and should have a cover sheet so they can be returned without your grade being shown.
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In class exercises may involve individual or group work, exercises, or impromptu quizzes. If you are absent on an in-class exercise or quiz day (or are late and miss it), you will receive a zero for that exercise or quiz. There will be no make-ups for missed in class activities, assignments, or quizzes. One zero is not much of a problem, but multiple zeroes can be. If you are unable to attend class, please do not e-mail assignments that are due, nor slip them under my door, nor give them to someone else to turn in, nor put them in my mailbox. Part of the learning process is conducted during class when we discuss items. Do not be late to class to finish homework, as this is counterproductive. The summer term is short and rigorous; make the commitment to come to class and do the work in the required timeframe.
The quizzes will require a SCANTRON 882 E, so be prepared—make sure you have one with you for every class.
Current Events Assignments:
On Thursday of week 1 (May 29) and each following Mondayyou are required to locate and bring to class an article about current events in the news that are related to HR.This assignment will help you become more aware of how HR issues arise on a daily basis. The news articles can be on any HR related topic but it must clearly be an HR topic—staffing and selection, recruiting, compensation, benefits, termination, layoffs or downsizing, safety and health, violence in the workplace, etc. Check your book to see if the article you’ve chosen is relevant.It must also be an article. It should not be a letter to the editor, letter asking for career advice, or a little blurb. It should be a story or report of some form. Do not bring an article from the Shorthorn. Articles can be obtained from local and national newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal, the Star Telegram, the Dallas Morning News, and USA Today. Any popular press magazine like Time, Newsweek, People Magazine, even sports magazines like Sports Illustrated or reputable news websites like CNN, MSNBC, etc. are acceptable so long as you can clearly relate the issue to some HR topic. Articles from research magazines, company newsletters, or textbooks are NOT acceptable.
Articles are to be neatly cut out including the top of the page showing the name of the newspaper. Staple the article on an 8.5 x 11 inch (regular size) piece of paper. In addition to handing in a copy of the issue/problem, on a separate sheet, provide some personal comments about the topic such as how the issue should be addressed; perhaps what laws you see are being violated; what additional problems the issue might raise, or any other relevant information you feel is important, especially if you can tie it into something you’ve learned or that we’ve discussed in class. Your comments should not exceed one page and should be printed (typed) and double-spaced and free of errors. Put a cover sheet on the article, your name on the cover sheet, and staple or clip the pages together.
We will discuss these articles and comments beginning the day they are due. Late assignments lose 20% for each day late.
Attendance
Consistent and on-time attendanceis vital to your success in this class. If you are unable to come to class on time and regularly, this will negatively impact your course performance and grade, particularly in the brief summer term. As classes are interactive, excessive absences will result in lack of participation, failure to learn from the interactions and discussions, and missed unannounced quizzes or assignments. In addition, the content of the exams will include in class discussion items, videos, and other items that are not all included in the text.
If you miss class (and even if you don’t) you should get notes from at least one of your fellow students. It is not necessary to call or e-mail to inform me when you will be absent from class. If you are absent, please do not e-mail asking what we went over in class. Make some friends in the class who will help you and whom you can help about missed material.
Seating is assigned. Be sure you are in your assigned seat each day.
Course Schedule
A tentative course schedule follows. Changes to the schedule will be announced in class and students are responsible for any changes. The exam schedules are generally firm. Plan your schedules so that you can take the exams when scheduled. If you miss an exam, that missed exam will be your “dropped” exam; if you miss two exams, one zero will be counted. Assignments may not be turned in early or late, and missed in-class exercises or quizzes cannot be made up.
Week 1Introduction
HR Interactions
Chapter 1 The challenge of HRM
Chapter 2, Strategy and HR Planning, pages 54, 57, 62-67
Chapter 3 EEO and HRM
Chapter 4 Job Analysis, EI, and Flexible Work
Thursday, 5/29 Quiz 1
Week 2Chapter 4 Job Analysis, EI, and Flexible Work
Chapter 5 Recruitment and Careers
Chapter 6 Selection
Exam 1: Thursday, June 5
Week 3Chapter 6 Selection
Chapter 7 Training and Development
Chapter 8: Appraising and Improving Performance
Exam 2: Thursday, June 12
Week 4Chapter 8: Appraising and Improving Performance
Chapter 9: Managing Compensation
Chapter 10: Pay for Performance
Chapter 11: Benefits
Exam 3: Thursday, June 19
Week 5Chapter 11: Benefits
Chapter 12: Safety and Health
Chapter 13: Employee Rights and Discipline
Chapter 14: Labor Relations
HR Interactions and Review
Exam 4: Thursday, 6/26
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