MANAGEMENT 453 

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

SPRING SEMESTER 1999

Associate Professor of Management

OFFICE: University Hall 2226 (Phone: 312-996-2799)

FAX: 708-479-4697

E-MAIL NUMBER: SJWAYNE@UIC.EDU

CLASS TIME: Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:00-12:15; BSB 311

OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays 9:30-10:30

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Textbook: Human Resource Management, Gaining a Competitive Advantage by Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, and Wright, 2nd edition, Richard D. Irwin, Inc. The textbook is available at the UIC Bookstore.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces the student to the technical and legal aspects of human resource management. Topics covered include: strategic human resource management, equal employment opportunity, job analysis, planning, recruitment, selection, performance appraisal, training & development, career management, and compensation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this course are to:

1. provide the student with an understanding of the activities performed by HR managers

2. introduce the student to the laws and regulations influencing human resource activities

3. enhance the student's awareness of the current problems and issues facing HR managers

4. introduce the student to the research in the field of HRM

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: GRADE ALLOCATION:

Exam I 100 points (20%) 450-500 = A (90%)

Exam II 100 points (20%) 400-449 = B (80%)

Exam III 100 points (20%) 350-399 = C (70%)

Group Project 100 points (20%) 300-349 = D (60%)

Participation & Assignments 100 points (20%) 299 or less = F

Total 500 points

If necessary, a curve will be applied.

EXAMS: Exams will consist primarily of multiple choice questions and true-false statements. There will be 1 or 2 essay questions with multiple parts. Only under certain circumstances and with permission in advance, a make-up for missed exams may be available.

EXAM I: Covers Chapters 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, lecture material, class discussions, exercises, and class assignments.

EXAM II: Covers Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, lecture material, class discussions, exercises, and class assignments.

EXAM III: Covers Chapters 7, 15, 16, 17, lecture material, class discussions, exercises, and class assignments.

GROUP PROJECT: The group project is worth a total of 100 points. The project involves a group paper and class presentation. Students may lose anywhere from 0-100 points, depending on the peer evaluations. All students must complete a peer evaluation form. Students who do not complete the peer evaluation form will lose 10 points. As noted, group members may receive different scores, depending on the peer evaluations. Groups will consist of not more than 4 members.

PARTICIPATION: Students are expected to read the assigned textbook chapter BEFORE attending class. Participation points are allocated based on students’ contributions to class discussions and participation in exercises. Throughout the semester, additional assignments such as the completion of surveys and reading of articles will be required which will aid in stimulating class discussion. Students are encouraged to provide examples from their own work experiences that are relevant to the course. No late assignments will be accepted. A student who rarely comes to class will receive 0 points on participation (20% of final grade).

Assignment #1. Find an article published in 1995 or later that discusses one or more types of employment discrimination (age discrimination, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, discrimination on the basis of religion, Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.). Summarize the key points made in the article in one or two paragraphs. Assignment must be typed.

Assignment #2. Conduct a job analysis and write a job description for the job you would like to have after graduation. Interview at least 1 person. Turn in the typed job description. It should include the job specification. At the bottom, list the name of the person you interviewed.

Assignment #3. Find an article that discusses one or more aspects of the hiring process. Topics might include personality tests, interviewing, drug testing, and recruitment. Summarize the key points made in the article in one or two paragraphs. Assignment must be typed.

Assignment #4. Bring a sample performance appraisal form that is being used in a company to class.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: This course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

You may take Exam III on Thursday, April 29 (11-12:15) or on Monday, May 3 (3:30-4:45). Exam III will be given in BSB 311.

MGMT 453 GROUP PROJECT

Overview

The purpose of this assignment is to give students an opportunity to examine and critically evaluate a company’s human resource practices. A written report and presentation is required.

Project Teams

Each project team will consist of no more than 4 members.

Selecting the Organization

Identify an organization located in the Chicago area that is willing to provide your team with information regarding their HR practices. The organization should be large enough such that they have a formal human resources department. For your report, you will need to use information from a variety of sources including your textbook, articles and books from the library, company publications, interviews, and personal observations. Arrange to interview at least 2 employees who work in the participating company’s HR department and at least 2 employees or managers who are familiar with the company’s HR practices.

Written Report

The report should be typed, double-spaced with 12-point font. Use major and minor headings throughout the report (such as those in the outline below). The reports are due in class on Tuesday, April 20. Points will be deducted for late papers. The maximum length is 20 pages, not including appendices and references.

Presentation

Presentations will be given April 20, 22, 27. Make sure you use audiovisual aids.

Organization of the Report

I. Title page

II. Executive summary—summarizes key findings (one page or less)

III. Brief Overview of the Company (two pages or less)

-History of the company

-Products/services provided by the company

-Customers and competitors

-Number and types of employees

-Organization structure (provide organization chart, if possible)

-Organization’s strategy

IV. Human Resources Department (aproximately 2-3 pages)

-Structure of the HR Department (provide organization chart, if possible)

-Number and types of HR employees

-History of the HR Department

-Role of the HR Department in the company

-Major activities performed by the HR Department

V. Interviewees (1 page or less)

-Provide the job titles, primary duties, organization and job tenure for the individuals interviewed

-In a Table, list the questions used in the interview

VI. Select 2 major HR activities (depending on the organization) that you will explore in-depth and critically analyze. These activities might include compensation, performance appraisal, recruitment/selection, HR planning, EEO/affirmative action, training, or Safety and Health. See your text for other potential topics.

-For each activity, describe the company’s HR practices such as the performance appraisal system. Make sure you use the terminology and concepts from the text! Although you cannot include every detail, try to describe key aspects of the HR activity.

-Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the company’s HR activity (i.e., the performance appraisal system). It is critical that your critique be based on information from the textbook, classroom discussions, and other readings. You must cite outside articles in this section. The interviews also will be helpful in identifying problem areas that need attention.

-Provide SPECIFIC recommendations for improving the HR activity (i.e., the performance appraisal system). Make sure to explain and justify your recommendations. Provide any supporting documentation.

Possible outline for this section of the paper:

HR ACTIVITY ONE

• Detailed description of the activity/practice. Include documentation such as the company’s application form, if selection is your topic.
• Strengths of the company’s practices
• Weaknesses of the company’s practices
• Recommendations for improving this HR activity

HR ACTIVITY TWO

• Detailed description of the activity/practice. Include documentation such as the company’s performance appraisal form, if that is your topic.
• Strengths of the company’s practices
• Weaknesses of the company’s practices
• Recommendations for improving this HR activity

VII. Brief summary (1-2 pages)

*It is expected that Section VI will be much longer than the other sections of the paper.