MGMT 321: Introduction to Human Resource Management Master Syllabus
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Course Website: Canvas
Course Description
A broad survey of all areas of human resources management, designed to provide line supervisors and/or staff human resource specialists with a thorough understanding of the role of human resource management and the techniques available to management in making effective use of the human resources of an organization.
BS in Business and Management Concentration Learning Goals
By the end of the BS Business program, students will master:
- Our students will demonstrate an understanding of the social, global, ethical, and legal contexts of business and will be able to reflect on the role of the individual in business.
- Our students will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply knowledge of professional skills necessary for success in business including effective business writing.
- Our students will demonstrate technical and analytic skills appropriate for success in business.
- Our students will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply knowledge of core business disciplines including accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and operations management.
- Our students will demonstrate an understanding of how research in the business disciplines contributes to knowledge and how such research is conducted.
- Our students will demonstrate knowledge and skills appropriate for specialization in their concentrations.
Students who are competent in the Management concentration will meet the following learning goal:
- Integrate key components of human resource management (including recruiting, selection, compensation, strategic human resource planning, performance evaluation, employee relations, and employment law).
Course Learning Objectives
This class is identified as a Students as Scholars Discovery of Scholarship course, designed to introduce students to scholarship, and include some active or inquiry-based learning.
In this Discovery of Scholarship course, students will:
- Define the function of human resource management in an organization.
- Identify the many specific components of an effective human resource program.
- Integrate organizational human resource needs with concepts of human needs and theories of motivation.
- Develop skills in analyzing human resource problems and determining appropriate solutions.
- Demonstrate ability to integrate theoretical concepts into policy decisions regarding human resource matters.
The course will focus on active learning and will mix a lecture-based approach with discussion and application. Research strongly suggests that active learning in conjunction with traditional lecture-based teaching methods is effective for student learning and skill-building. Successful active learning requires a major investment from both of us. You will need to study the assigned readings as scheduled, do a fair amount of thinking, and be prepared to contribute to class discussions. Nearly all lectures will be delivered live, face-to-face, but you may also be asked to view supplemental video lectures outside of class time (if necessary).
Required Materials
- Human Resource Management: Gaining a Competitive Advantage. 13thth Ed. Noe, R., Hollenbeck, J., Gerhart, J., & Wright, P. (2023), McGraw Hill.
We will be using the above textbook and the Connect platform in this course. To gain access and get started to Connect, watch the Registration video. Then, go into the “Learn Here” area of the course, click on Module 1, and click on the Connect Orientation Assignment. You will be prompted to register for Connect with your Mason email address. During this process you will either enter an Access Code if you purchased one from the Mason bookstore, or you can purchase directly from McGraw Hill (purchasing directly from McGraw Hill is probably the cheaper option).
- HR Cases on Course Reserve: Use the link provided on Canvas to access the cases Course Reserve (Leganto). Each case is a separate document (pdf file). There is no additional charge to access these cases.
Course Policies
Late Assignments
All graded work must be submitted by the time and date specified on the Course. Make note of due dates/times on your personal calendar/agenda. DO NOT RELY ON THE CANVAS CALENDAR. Late submissions for SmartBook Assignments, Read & Respond, Watch & Respond, Module Activities will not be accepted.
Engagement in the Course
Attendance in class and with online course modules is key to a student’s success in the course. While regular class attendance is expected, I understand that occasional absence (1 – 2 absences per semester) may occur. The student’s responsibility for managing an absence from a class session depends on the nature of the absence and whether the absence occurs on an exam day.
Absence from an exam: If you will be absent on the date of an exam, I will make accommodations for you to make-up the exam as long as the reason for the absence is excused. Examples of expected, excused absences include religious observance where the nature of the observance prevents student from attending a class session, scheduled necessary medical procedures, participation in universitysponsored activities (intercollegiate athletic competitions, music performances, debate, conferences, research visits, etc.), military service, and scheduled court appearances. Examples of unexpected, excused absences include student illness or injury, family illness or injury for which student is the primary caretaker, or death of immediate family member. No accommodations will be made for unexcused absences. Examples of unexcused absences include absence stemming from work duties, traffic/transit problems, and vacation/travel. Please note this is a non-exhaustive list.
In the case of an excused absence, in order to be eligible for a make-up exam, the student must:
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notify me of an excused absence PRIOR to the time the exam begins, via email.
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provide appropriate (verifiable) supporting documentation at the time of notification; or, in the case of unexpected absence, within 24 hours of notification.
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be prepared to take the make-up exam within 48 hours of the originally scheduled exam time.
Absence from a “normal” class session: Failure to attend class on a regular basis is the primary reason why students are unsuccessful in this course. If you miss – or think you will miss – more than two class sessions, please manage your grade expectations accordingly. If you miss class it is the student’s responsibility to:
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obtain any content covered for the course time they are absent for.
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if desired, schedule an office hours appointment with me so that I can answer your questions about the content covered in the missed class (note, I will not have time to “re-do” the lecture, nor will I have documented class notes).
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discuss an academic drop or withdrawal with an academic advisor, if the student missed, plans to miss, or is unable to engage with significant portions of the class (more than two course sessions).
Evaluation
Your learning in this course will be evaluated by the following tools: SmartBook Assignments, Read & Respond Assignments, Module Activities, and Examinations.
Please note that due dates for all assignments are listed in the Course Schedule (at the end of the syllabus) and on Canvas.
Any feedback provided on graded work will be available in your Canvas grade book. Please note that Canvas’s mobile app may not allow you to view grade feedback – you may need to log into Canvas via your computer to view feedback.
SmartBook Assignments (39 Points)
In order to prepare for each module, you will complete SmartBook assignments. These assignments are administered through Connect. SmartBook assignments must be complete prior to the due date specified on the course syllabus. Late submissions are not accepted. Start by reading the paragraphs highlighted in yellow. Those are the key concepts in that chapter. To complete your assignment, you will need to toggle between reading and answering questions. Please note that you are expected to read the chapter pages specified in the course syllabus, not just the highlighted areas. Make sure that you press submit for the grade to push to Canvas.
Read & Respond (44 points) / Watch & Respond (16 points)
Within most modules there will be at least one Read & Respond or Watch & Respond assignment. These assessments give you an opportunity to show that you are prepared for class and that you have been actively engaged in prior class sessions. To complete these assignments, you will read an article or case, or watch a brief video clip, and respond to prompts regarding what you’ve read or watched. You should incorporate course information and specifics from the case/article/video in your response. Your response to each prompt should be about 100 words.
At least one assignment will occur during class, but most will be completed as homework, before the due date announced in class (and noted in Canvas). Due dates for each assignment are noted in the course syllabus. Each assignment has a firm due date/time and late submissions are not accepted. Missed assignments cannot be made up. Points will be earned by fully addressing the prompts, making clear connections between concepts from the readings/cases/videos, and integrating material discussed in class.
Module Activities (13 points)
In some modules you will be asked to complete surveys or activities within Connect. Once you have responded, make sure that you press submit for the grade to push to Canvas. Module activities must be complete prior to the due date specified on the course syllabus. Late submissions are not accepted.
Examinations (88 points)
Two CLOSED BOOK/NOTE exams (non-cumulative, 44 points each) will consist of objective test questions (e.g., multiple-choice, true/false) and short-answer/short-essay questions. Exams will be administered in the classroom. You MAY NOT use any outside materials (such as notes or class materials) while taking the test, and the Honor Code is in effect. There are two parts to each exam: Part 1 will contain shortessay questions, and Part 2 will contain objective/multiple-choice/true-false questions. If there is a change to our class delivery format (such as we need to transition to an online meeting format), you may be required to take your exams online using the Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor.
Grading
I take grading very seriously and I assign grades based strictly on the number of points earned and the grading scale presented on the following page. In general, the more proactive you are in dealing with your coursework throughout the course of the semester, the less of a likelihood there will be of a grade "problem" or surprise. I am committed to grading assessments, papers and exams in a timely fashion and will post points on Canvas on a regular basis. Please check your grades on Canvas throughout the semester so that you know where you stand with regards to points. If you are concerned about your grade, please see me as soon as possible so that I can provide advice about how to make the most of future opportunities to earn points. Remember, I want nothing more than for you to succeed and I am willing to work with you so that you can attain your goals.
Point Values of Each Evaluation Tool:
| Evaluation Tool | Points |
|---|---|
| SmartBook Assignments | 39 |
| Read & Respond | 44 |
| Watch & Respond | 16 |
| Module Activities | 13 |
| Exam 1 | 44 |
| Exam 2 | 44 |
| Total Points Possible | 200 |
Grading Scale:
Your grade will be assigned on a straight scale based on the number of points you earn as noted above. Below is the grading scale:
| Grade | Total Points |
|---|---|
| A | 179 and above |
| B+ | 174-178 |
| B | 159-173 |
| C+ | 154-158 |
| C | 139-153 |
| D | 120-138 |
| F | Below 120 |
Course Schedule
Please see the “Learn Here: Modules” content area in Canvas for details on the material we will be covering in our class sessions, as well as the learning activities you should be completing on your own time (in between class sessions). The Course Schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced on Canvas and in class.
Graded work is due by 11:59pm on the date specified. Late submissions are not accepted. I strongly suggest that you create and keep a course schedule, using whatever personal calendar works best for you. Do not rely on the Canvas calendar, as it can be glitchy. You’ll have graded work due by the end of the day each Sunday. You may submit work early.
Module 1: Course Introduction, Human Resource Management in Organizations
- Review the Syllabus and Course Overview, Policies, and Resources modules of the course before class on 1/27
Module 2: HR Planning and Retention
- Module 1 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 1, pages 2 – 13, 33 – 42)
- Module 2 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 10, pages 437 – 438, 451 – 468)
- Module 2 Read & Respond: Turnover Tsunami
- Module 2 Activity: Do You Have What it takes to Work in HR?
Modules 3 & 4: Equal Employment Opportunity (Part 1 and 2)
- Module 3 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 3, pages 112 - 124, 135 – 143)
- Module 3 Survey: What do you know About Sexual Harassment
- Module 4 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 3, pages 123 - 124, 128 - 132, 140 – 141)
- Module 4 Watch & Respond: Diversity
Module 4: Equal Employment Opportunity (Part 2), continued and Module 5: Strategic HR Management
- Module 4 Read & Respond: The Basics of Validity
- Module 5 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 5, pages 196 – 207)
Module 5: Strategic HR Management, Module 6: Job Analysis
- Module 5 Read & Respond: Someone Has to Go – A Tough Layoff Decision
- Module 6 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 4, pages 158, 171 – 180)
- Module 6 Module Activity: What Job Characteristics are Important to You?
Module 6: Job Analysis (continued); Mid-term Exam Q&A/review session
Midterm Exam
Module 7: Recruiting
- Module 7 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 5, pages 216 – 225)
- Module 7 Read & Respond
Module 8: Selection (Part 1)
- Module 8 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 6, pages 252 - 254, 258 – 262)
- Module 8 Read & Respond: The ART of the Interview
Module 9: Selection (Part 2)
- Module 9 Activity: Understanding Validity in Selection and Placement
- Module 9 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 6, pages 240 - 245, 248 - 252, 255 – 256)
- Module 9 Read & Respond: Lowering the bar
Module 10: Compensation and Benefits
- Module 9 Read & Respond: Job Analysis and Hiring Decisions at Ovania Chemical
- Module 10 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 11, pages 480 - 481, 487 - 489, 512 – 514; Read Chapter 12, pages 531 – 532; Read Chapter 13, pages 574 - 581, 584 - 585, 602)
- Module 10 Read & Respond: Rethinking Rewards
- Module 10: Watch Mini-lecture re: Valuing Jobs (not graded)
Module 11: Training and Development
- Module 10 Watch & Respond: Pay Parity at Adobe
- Module 11 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 7, pages 279 - 281, 288 - 289, 294 - 301, 314317; Read Chapter 9, pages 399 - 400, 409 - 410, 416 – 425)
- Module 11 Read & Respond: The Brave New Word of Onboarding
Module 12: Performance Management
- Module 12 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 8, pages 331 - 336, 338, 370 – 378)
- Module 12 Read & Respond: Egan’s Clothiers
Module 13: Employee Rights
- Module 12 Watch & Respond: Listening Skills
- Module 13 SmartBook Assignment (Read Chapter 10, pages 438 - 441, 445 – 450)
- Module 13 Read & Respond: Wrongful Discharge or Simply “Poor Performance?”
Final Exam
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