Course Purpose: Our primary purpose is to understand the current context and practice of human resource management in the public sector. Like other parts of government, hrm has been undergoing many changes. Our focus will be on best current practices. You can identify the topics covered by looking at the schedule .
Course objectives: We will work on these in class. Some objectives I would include are:
1. to analyze the conflicting demands on human resource management and the values underlying those conflicting demands.
2. to make ethical decisions on complex human resource management issues.
3. To apply theoretical perspectives to practical problems in hrm.
4. To enhance computer skills necessary for effective practices in hrm.
Texts:
Berman, Bowman, West, Van Wart Human Resource Management in Public Service.
You will also have other reading assignments from the Internet.
Sometimes I recommend a book that may have a significant impact on our understanding of core issues in public administration. My recommendation this year is broader than public administration but catches the current transition well. It is a book that public officials and administrators should not ignore. You've probably read about it or heard the author on radio or tv. Richard Florida. The Rise of the Creative Class and how its transforming work, leisure, community and everyday life. Basic Books, 2002.
The course management system we use is Ucompass Educator. You must register with ucompass as well as with the University. You can do this at https://ucompass.mnsu.edu/secure.html If you've used this in a previous course, remember your user name and password.
Many of you will ant to regularly check Dilbert at http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/dilbert/
You may wish to join the ASPA Listserv for students. To subscribe send an e-mail to: listserv@e-mail.rutgers.edu. In the body of the e-mail, type the words Subscribe aspa_students.
Note: . This is the time to read the materials on the comprehensive exam reading list related to HRM. It is also time to read regularly in PAR and RPPA (as well as other journals on the list). Or, you may want to read some of the other books about personnel and diversity issues that are in our library. You will find that a reading journal of these materials will advantage you at comp time.
Requirements: I propose:
Other notes: All graduate students should regularly check their e-mail. (Be sure to set a forward on your mnsu.edu address if you will be checking some other account. Do the same for your ucompass e-mail address.) I encourage you to communicate with each other about the class and with me through the e-mail.
Any student needing special arrangements is encouraged to visit with me at your earliest convenience. If you are a student with a documented disability, please see me as early in the semester as possible to discuss the necessary accommodations, and/or contact the Disability Services Office at 507-389-2825 (V) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY). All students are welcome to contact me throughout the semester with questions or observations about the class, with any concerns or with any difficulties about the class. I do my best to be available during office hours. You may contact me in my office whether I am having formal office hours or not. E-mail is a more reliable way to contact me than a message on my answering machine.
APA is the style guide for this course and this department. Students in other departments may use the format preferred by that department.
Students are encouraged to work with each other in seminars. However, any papers, exam material or other graded work is to be your own. The same paper is not to be turned in to more than one class without notification and approval by all faculty concerned. All other ethical conduct provisions of the university, the department and the public administration profession are expected to be upheld, in spirit and in letter.
The Schedule: . Check the course site on the web regularly. You may find writing assignments and additional internet assignments added as we develop a better sense of what we need to do to reach our objectives. For each chapter be sure you have read and thought about the exercises at the end. In some cases, I've made specific assignments from them.,
Aug 27 Introductions
Overview of course
Preparing cases and exercises
The course and the MAPA program
Case: Coping with political pressure
Sign up with Ucompass Do so by next Monday. Contribute something to the discussion thread on introductions. <
Read the text's Introductory remarks.
Sept 3 Public Service Heritage
Read Ch. 1 Also do Exercise # 13. This asks you to talk with someone in the public sector. If you work for a government agency or organization , try to do this with someone in another division or organization, either at your organizational level or above. If you don't work for the government, think about a position you might someday like and contact an individual in that position. These interviews are best in person, but could be done over the phone. E-mail is a good way to explain yourself and ask if you could call or come in. Many cities and counties have their staff directories on-line so you can identify a manager in the position you're interested in. Talk among yourselves about who you might contact so the same person isn't bombarded by requests from the class. Ask the person if you could contact them again if you had other questions about their job. Be sure to send a thank you.
Be sure to become acquainted with the OPM, MSPB,, and the FLRA by checking their web sites (you can access these from the Public Administration Resources page I've constructed). You'll want to understand their role and responsibilities.
Sept 10 Rights and responsibilities
Read Ch 2. Also read the case Grief and the grievance process at http://www.governing.com/choice/mc0201.htm
And read the Morality of Public Administration
http://www.aspanet.org/publications/COLUMNS/archives/2001/Dec/king
1214.html
Be sure to check out the EEOC's web site. including http://www.eeoc.gov/docs/accommodation.html for ADA Enforcement Guidance. You'll want to be thoroughly familiar with the laws enforced by the EEOC and the issues regarding them.
Sept 17 Recruitment
Read Ch 3 Also prepare the case the Vacuous job description at http://www.governing.com/choice/mc0200.htm
Add to the thread on the discussion board about recruiting for the public sector under conditions of worker shortages.
You should have cleared the topic of your bibliography with me by this class meeting.
Sept 24 Selection
Read Ch 4 Prepare the case the Tormenting talent turnover http://www.governing.com/choice/mc1000.htm
Bring exercise #10 to class.
Oct 1 Position management
Read Ch 5 Prepare the case Can Personnel be Fixed? http://www.governing.com/choice/mc1098.htm
Oct 8 No class tonight. I hope you'll attend the department's Kessel Lecture. This will also give you an opportunity to make significant progress on your project. You should turn in a preliminary bibliography by next Tuesday.
Oct 15 Compensation
Read CH 6 Also read Sharing best practices
http://www.aspanet.org/publications/COLUMNS/archives/2002/01Jan/lavigna0118.html
You may wish to check current federal salaries http://www.opm.gov/oca/payrates/index.htm
You can find Minnesota salaries off the DOER page at http://www.doer.state.mn.us/
Also note the Legislative Auditor's Report on Minnesota State Employee Compensation at http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/2000/pe0005.htm
View the slide show covering the highlights.
Oct 22 Family friendly policies
Read Ch 7 Prepare the case The flex time conundrum http://www.governing.com/choice/mc0801.htm
Turn in exercise #6
Oct 29 Training and development
Read Ch 8
Nov 5 Appraisal
Read Ch 9
Nov 12 Unions
Read Ch 10 Also read Working together with unions http://www.aspanet.org/publications/COLUMNS/archives/2002/06June/lavigna0621.html
Nov 19 Quality and Productivity
Read Ch 11 and the conclusion
Read at least one case from MSPB at http://www.mspb.gov/decisions/decisions.html Be prepared to report on it to the class.
Nov 26 Presentations
Dec 3 Presentations
Dec 10 Presentations and final