The Evergreen State College

Graduate Program in Public Administration

Human Resources Management for the 21^st Century

Fall 2003, 4 credits

Wednesday, 6-10 p.m., Lab I, room 1059.

johnsong@evergreen.edu 867-6739 Lab 1, 2005 T/W,3-5p.m. or by appt.

Gail's home page: http://academic.evergreen.edu/j/johnsong/index.htm

People are essential to the success of any organization and human resources management is an integral part of the strategy of the organization. This course will explore the theories and practices of human resources management in the context of constant change.

The learning objectives for this course include:

• Understanding the underlying principles of merit systems, the demands for change, and civil service reform strategies;
• Increasing awareness of the challenges confronting the basic personnel functions, including staffing, firing and grievances, training and development, motivation, performance appraisals, benefits and compensation, equal opportunity and affirmative action, and collective bargaining;
• Increasing awareness of the unique characteristics of personnel systems within the public and non-profit sectors; and,
• Enhancing critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills.

Websites: Washington State, Civil Service Reform Washington:

http://hr.dop.wa.gov/hrreform/InfoSession-slideshow.pdf

1. Active Participation: Read material and be prepared to ask questions and discuss material. Cases will be used extensively. Students will discuss cases in small groups and will lead class discussions.
2. Topic paper and presentation. Embedded within each of the personnel functions covered in class are topics that are more specific. Select a topic of interest and prepare a short paper (not to exceed 5 double-spaced pages). You might want to look at a best practice for recruitment, hiring or firing, or team performance appraisals. You might want to look at underlying issues related to RIFS (e.g. Healing the Wounds) or public service motivation. You might want to look at mentoring programs, new trends in benefit packages, the use of contingent workers, or telecommuting. You might want to critique current approaches to staffing, compensation, training, or performance appraisals.

Presentation: You will give a short (5-10 minute) overview of the topic you selected and what you have learned from your research and analysis. It is likely that there will be other people presenting as well, so you will each present and then the class will ask you questions and engage in discussion.

Due Dates: will vary between October 28^th and November 19^th. People will sign up.

3. Final Paper: This is to be a short 5-7 pages, double-spaced paper on one of the areas of inquiry listed below. If you have another area, we can negotiate. Please let me know your final paper title by October 15^th. Final Paper: Due December 10^th.

Possible Areas of Inquiry:

• Prognosis for Washington’s Civil Service Reform
• Merit Systems: Only for Public Agencies?
• Challenges to HR: The Looming Issues and Possible Responses.
• How to Smash the Glass Ceiling
• Alternative Dispute Resolution: A wishful dream or practical strategy?
• Balancing work and family life: Strategies for Individuals and Organizations
• Unions in the Public and Non-profit Sectors: Rebirth or Decline?

Students will receive credit based upon satisfactory and on-time completion of all course requirements and assignments. Plagiarism, failing to complete one or more assignments, completing one or more assignments late (without having made special arrangements in advance of the due date), or missing classes without making prior arrangements to make up the work, will result in denial of credit.

At the end of the quarter, students will prepare three copies of their self-evaluation and evaluation of the faculty using Evergreen’s forms (they are available on the computers in the computing center or you can obtain the software to use at home). These must be completed and ready for signature when we meet. I will prepare an evaluation of each student. Each student will meet with me to discuss performance. Students can choose to share their evaluation of my performance at this meeting or they may turn this evaluation into the program secretary.