MGMT-536: Human Resources Foundations

Course Description and Prerequisites

To gain a foundation of the value and purpose of human relations in organizations, students begin by taking a macro-view of the Human Resources field and examining the role of a Human Resources department as a critical strategic business partner within the organization. In this course, students integrate concepts and current workplace issues while exploring and analyzing new technologies in the field. Students develop a broader understanding of business and culture and of how to build and support agile teams that work effectively.

 

Student Centered Learning Outcomes

  • Assess the importance of Human Resources to the strategic success of an organization.
  • Imagine a strong candidate for the Human Resources management position.
  • Formulate a framework that recognizes the interrelationships among the core HR functions.
  • Synthesize research about challenges/recent changes facing the HR profession and recommend adaptations to respond to those challenges/changes.

 

Textbook(s) and Technology Requirements

Required Texts

There is no required textbook for this course.

 

Technology Requirements

There are no specific technology requirements for this class.

 

Topic Outline

  • Week 1: Paradigm Shift from Human Commodity to Human Capital
  • Week 2: The Evolution of Strategic Human Resources
  • Week 3: Organizational Design
  • Week 4: Leveraging Diversity in Recruitment & Selection
  • Week 5: Learning as an Organization
  • Week 6: Cultivating Employee Engagement & Experiences
  • Week 7: Optimizing Organizational Cultures
  • Week 8: Human Resources as Strategic Leaders & Partners

 

Methods of Assessment

Your final grade will be determined based on:

Graded ElementsPercentage
Weekly Projects     40 %
Discussions     35%
Final Project     25%
  
Total 100%
  
 Extra Credit Course Evaluation  1%

Discussions

Weekly discussions are an integral part of learning at Champlain College and represent a significant portion of a student’s overall grade. In order to be successful, students should:

  1. Post a thorough, well-crafted initial response that fully addresses and develops all aspects of the prompt by the due date.
  2. Engage substantively throughout the discussion period by responding to others with questions or comments that demonstrate interest, build upon the ideas of others, and encourage elaboration.
  3. Apply and integrate concepts from this course as well as from quality resources including journals, websites, readings from another class, relevant work or life experience, etc.
  4. Demonstrate attention to style, structure, grammar, etiquette, and proper citation of references to maintain academic integrity.

Discussion grades are determined using the rubric below. The descriptions show what exemplary work looks like for each aspect of an overall discussion.

Discussion Rubric
CriteriaDescriptionMax Points
ApplicationExplicitly and thoroughly explains, applies, and integrates a) concepts from this or other courses, b) outside resources or research, c) life experiences, and/or d) processes used to solve problems.30 pts
Critical ThinkingClearly articulates a desire to a) reflect, b) explore possibility, c) recognize ambiguity, d) question assumptions, and/or e) search for logical relationships among ideas. Selects, analyzes, and synthesizes relevant information to demonstrate original thinking.30 pts
CollaborationFosters collaborative learning while a) problem-solving, b) respectfully challenging others, and/or c) expanding thinking through responses and reflection with other learners throughout the week. Builds on classmate and instructor contributions to deepen the conversation.30 pts
PresentationDemonstrates attention to APA/MLA style and structure, adheres to rules of grammar and etiquette, and properly cites references to literature and course materials.10 pts
Total Points: 100

 

Assignments

Students will have an opportunity to apply their knowledge of strategic human resources in the creation and development of a final project covering the key areas of strategic human resources. Each week, students will complete one section of the final project beginning in week two of the course.

Weekly Projects Rubric
CriteriaPoints
Completeness – Addresses all aspects of the assignment.15 pts
Application – Clearly shows connections between concepts and examples.25 pts
Integration – Makes explicit reference to previous learning and applies in an innovative way to demonstrate comprehension.25 pts
Analysis – Evidence of careful thought and critique of the proposed approach. Rationale and logic for proposed outcomes are fully explored.25 pts
Presentation – Sentence style fits paper’s audience and purpose. Sentences are varied, yet clearly structured and carefully focused, not long and rambling. Few and only minor mechanical errors.10 pts

 

Student Resources & Policies

Academic Honesty Policy

Champlain College students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the College’s policy for Academic Honesty. (Links to an external site.) Academic honesty entails creating original assignments, using your own words, and when using the words and ideas of others, documenting those sources using the method specified in this course. Please consult with your instructor if you are in doubt. Violations of the policy could result in a grade of F on the assignment or in the course as well as dismissal from the College.

 

Course summary:

Date
 

Details

Wed, 15 Jan 2020Assignment Week 1: Discussion – What’s so important about human capital?due by 23:59
Sun, 19 Jan 2020Assignment Week 1: Assignment – Human Capital and Social Contractingdue by 23:59
Wed, 22 Jan 2020Assignment Week 2: Discussion – Minimizing Differences or Leveraging Differences?due by 23:59
Sun, 26 Jan 2020Assignment Week 2: Assignment – A Multi-generational Workforcedue by 23:59
Wed, 29 Jan 2020Assignment Week 3: Discussion – Flexible, Team-based, and Networkeddue by 23:59
Sun, 2 Feb 2020Assignment Week 3: Assignment – Organizational Design and Structuredue by 23:59
Wed, 5 Feb 2020Assignment Week 4: Discussion – Diversity as a Resourcedue by 23:59
Sun, 9 Feb 2020Assignment Midpoint Course Feedback Surveydue by 23:59
Assignment Week 4: Assignment – Recruiting and HITsdue by 23:59
Wed, 12 Feb 2020Assignment Week 5: Discussion – Meaningful Training and Developmentdue by 23:59
Sun, 16 Feb 2020Assignment Week 5: Assignment – Training and Developmentdue by 23:59
Wed, 19 Feb 2020Assignment Week 6: Discussion – Exploring Positive Psychologydue by 23:59
Sun, 23 Feb 2020Assignment Week 6: Assignment – Employee Engagementdue by 23:59
Wed, 26 Feb 2020Assignment Week 7: Discussion – Strengths-based Approaches to Elevatedue by 23:59
Sun, 1 Mar 2020Assignment Week 7: Assignment – Strength-based Performance Managementdue by 23:59
Wed, 4 Mar 2020Assignment Week 8: Discussion – Leadership in Human Resourcesdue by 23:59
Fri, 6 Mar 2020Assignment Extra Credit: IDEA Survey Quizdue by 23:59
Assignment Week 8: Assignment – Your Design for a Positive Organizational Culturedue by 23:59