64108 Whitmore

Applied Topics in Human Resources

MIS 64108 - 001

Tuesday 6:30pm – 9:20pm, Kent Campus, College of Business, Room A324

 INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Mark Whitmore

Phone:  330-410-3841 (cell)

E-mail address: mwhitmo4@kent.edu

Office hours: Monday or Wednesday 2:00pm to 4:00pm, Tuesday 6:00pm (or other times by appointment)

 TEXT / READINGS

Selected readings offered throughout the course.

 FOCUS/PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

This course will focus on the field of applied Human Resources. We will examine both the theoretical and practical implications and applications of human resource tools and processes.  Exploring both the advantages as well as the limitations involved in each of the areas of applied human resources.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

On completion of the course, students will be able to:  Demonstrate knowledge of the diverse models for understanding and practicing human resources in organizations. Understand and gain deep insight into a select group of human resources practices.  Be able to assess and critique different approaches to applied human resources such as selection, compensation, development and benefits.  Understand how these specific topics fit within the larger disciplines of  human resources management.

 GRADING

Final grades will be comprised of the following:

            Class Participation – Attendance,

            Case Studies, and Assessments                   20%

            Individual paper                                           40%

            Final Essay exam                                         40%

I will use +/- grades for this course.  Assignment of final grades will most likely be:  92+ A, 90-91 A-, 88-89 B+, 82-87 B, 80-81 B-, 78-79 C+, 72-77 C, 70-71 C-, 68-69 D+, 60-67 D, 0-59 F.  I reserve the right to curve these final grades, up or down, based on overall class performance.

 ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

You are permitted two excused absences.  If you must miss class, you must contact me before class (by phone, e-mail, in person, etc.).  Your attendance will be excused only if you have a university-approved reason.   CLASS ASSIGNMENTS WILL COUNT TOWARDS YOUR PARTICIPATION GRADE.

INDIVIDUAL PAPER

Students will write a 10 page, double-spaced paper on a topic related to leadership or managerial assessment.  The paper must contain three references (not internet websites).  The topic must be pre-approved by the professor.  Papers could focus on the psychometrics of assessment, particular assessment systems or technics, the use of assessments in various organizations or disciplines, special topics related to assessment or development.  The paper must be a critical review, highlighting both the strengths and limitations involved in the topic area.   Paper is due December

HR FORUM OR SUMMIT PRESENTATIONS / PAPER

Students may earn extra credit of five credit points each by attending one or both presentations and writing a short, no more than two page paper, responding to questions about the presentations they attended.  These papers are due by the end of the regularly scheduled Monday class following the presentation.  See the syllabus for the scheduled Forums and Summits.

ESSAY FINAL EXAM

A take home essay final exam will be given to the students.  Student will be given one week to complete the exam.  The final exam is due at the final exam period during finals week, and may be e-mailed to the professor.

COURSE FORMAT

The format of this course will be in the form of assigned reading and in class discussions.  There will be two external talks that will be attended on campus. Note that it is important to read the assigned reading prior to the course so that you may engage in the discussions in a meaningful way.  Therefore keeping up with the reading assignments is imperative. 

 COURSE TOPIC SCHEDULE

 Date               Topic                                                           Readings                   Assignments/Exams

 Information from the KSU College of Business Administration

The Following Policies Apply to All Students in this Course

 A.     Students attending the course who do not have the proper prerequisite risk being deregistered from the class.

B.    Students have responsibility to ensure they are properly enrolled in classes.  Should you find an error in your class schedule, you need to correct the error with your advising office no later than Sunday, January 19, 2014.   If registration errors are not corrected by these dates and you continue to attend and participate in classes for which you are not officially enrolled, you are advised now that you will not receive a grade at the conclusion of the semester for any class in which you are not properly registered.

For flexibly scheduled courses, faculty should contact the Registrar’s Office (330.672.3131) directly for the specific dates if they are unable to determine based on information in Self Service Banner.

 C.     Academic Honesty:  Cheating means to misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic work (e.g., tests, papers, projects, assignments) so as to get undeserved credit.  The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offense.  It is the University's policy that cheating or plagiarism result in receiving a failing grade for the work or course.  Repeat offenses result in dismissal from the University.

D.     For Spring 2014, the course withdrawal deadline is Sunday, January 26, 2014.   Withdrawal before the deadline results in a "W" on the official transcript; after the deadline a grade must be calculated and reported.

E.     University policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit  http://www.kent.edu/sas/index.cfm

 for more information on registration procedures).

F. GRADUATION INFORMATION FOR SENIORS:  It is your responsibility to apply for graduation before the set deadline. If you apply after the deadline you will be assessed a $200 late fee. Please see your academic advisor as soon as possible if you are uncertain as to your progress toward graduation. 

To apply for graduation complete the following steps:

Log onto your Flashline account

1.       Click on the Student Tools tab

2.       Look in the Graduation Planning Tool Box

3.       Click on Application for Graduation

**If an error message appears, you must contact your advisor.