MHR 6451, Human Resource

Management Methods
Course Syllabus

Course Description
This course examines personnel administration for line supervisors and managers and integrates a systems approach to
government regulation of employment, employment laws, conflict resolution, and performance-based personnel
management.

Course eTextbook
Dessler, G. (2015). Human resource management (14th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Describe the strategic importance of human resource management activities performed in organizations as it
relates to the human resources management function.
2. Evaluate factors impacting the evolution of equal employment opportunity programs.
3. Discuss the role that culture plays in determining the effective use of human resource management practices in a
global organization.
4. Discuss the development of an effective human resource planning process that identifies major players involved,
their functions, and the components of successful implementation such as forecasting, talent management,
retention, HRISs, and succession planning.
5. Evaluate performance evaluation processes and techniques in human resource management.
6. Differentiate among direct financial compensation, indirect financial compensation, and non-financial rewards in
human resource management.
7. Evaluate training and development methods for various types and levels of organizations.
8. Discuss the impact of collective bargaining on employee behavior.

Credits
Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit.

Course Structure
1. Study Guide: Each unit contains a Study Guide that provides students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson,
required reading assignments, and supplemental resources.
2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge
students should gain upon completion of the unit.
3. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material.
4. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook
and/or outside resources.
5. Suggested Reading: Suggested Readings are listed in each units study guide. Students are encouraged to read
the resources listed if the opportunity arises, but they will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested
Readings.
6. Learning Activities (Non-Graded): These non-graded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their
course of study.
7. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units II, IV, VI, and VIII.
Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are
included with each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below.
MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

8. Participation-Discussion Assignment: Those students who will be attending the classes taught by Vietnamese
professors are not required to answer the discussion board questions. Instead they will discuss the questions
listed in the discussion board with their professors and peers during class participation sessions. Those students
who will not be attending the classes are required to e-mail the responses to the discussion board questions to
their CSU professor.
9. Final Exam: Final Exams will be administered by the CSU professors while in Vietnam.

CSU Online Library

There is a virtual library with resources, including both journals and ebooks, to support your program and your course at
Columbia Southern University. eResources are accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week from the CSU Online Library
gateway page. To access the library, log into myCSU, and then click on CSU Online Library. Resources are organized in
the library by title, but if you click on Research Guides, you will find eResources arranged by subject.
The Library Reference service is available 7 days a week; you can reach CSUs virtual librarians by emailing
thevirtuallibrarian@columbiasouthern.edu. These professional librarians will be glad to help you develop your research
plan or to assist you in any way in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information.
Librarian responses may occur within minutes or hours, but it will never take more than 24 hours for a librarian to send a
response to the email address you have provided. Replies to reference requests may include customized keyword search
strategies, links to videos, research guides, screen captures, attachments, a phone call, live screen sharing, and meeting
room appointments, as well as other forms of instruction.

Unit Assignments
The Unit IV Assignment will be group based, meaning you will collaborate with other students to complete the
assignment. Please begin preparing for the assignment in Unit II. Preparing for the assignment will allow you to
be efficient when completing the assignment with your classmates. Additional instructions can be found below.
Unit II Essay
Per Dessler (2015), human resource management (HRM) is the process of acquiring, training, appraising, and
compensating employees, and HRM involves attending to employees labor relations, health and safety, and fairness
concerns (p.4). In properly managing the workforce, the HR manager is required to understand the various functions of
HR, which are listed below (Mathis & Jackson, 2013):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

strategic HR management,
equal employment opportunity,
staffing,
talent management,
total rewards,
risk management and worker protection, and
employee and labor relations.

You are tasked with writing an essay that addresses the following issues:

Describe the importance of each function as it relates to human resource management.

Discuss the role that culture plays in the effectiveness of these functions in a global setting.

Your essay must be a minimum of two pages in length. Be sure to apply APA style; include a title page, paragraphs with
headings, in-text citations, and a reference page.
You are required to use at least one outside scholarly source in your writing.
Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit IV Assignment
For the Unit IV Assignment, you will be placed in groups of four (4), and will each be assigned a specific role:
Coordinator: Provide leadership and direction for the group and oversee the completion of the assignment.
MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

Ensure each team member stays on task and the assignment is completed on time.
Data Collector: Compile the information needed to prepare the assignment.
Drafter: Prepare the assignment using the compiled information.
Reviewer: Review the assignment, and provide feedback and edits to improve the assignment.

Along with your individual group role, each member is expected to:
Support the work of the group
Contribute ideas about the content
Listen and respect the opinion of others
All members of the group will receive the same grade. Naming your group is not a graded item, but you can do so to
individualize your group.
Your group will evaluate factors that impact the evolution of equal employment opportunity programs, and the group will
evaluate the performance evaluation process and techniques.
Part 1: Equal Employment
In this section, you will evaluate three factors that impact the evolution of equal employment opportunity programs. You
must discuss the level of impact of each factor and make suggestions for improvement.
Part 2: Performance Evaluation Processes and Techniques
In this section, you will evaluate three performance evaluation processes and techniques. You must discuss the level of
impact of each and make suggestions for improvement.
Click here to access the assignment template.
Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit VI PowerPoint Presentation
For this assignment, you are tasked with creating a PowerPoint presentation that addresses human resource planning
and compensation/rewards.
Part 1: Human Resource Planning
In this section of the presentation, you will discuss the development of an effective human resource planning process. Be
sure to identify the major players and their functions, components of the process, and suggestions to improve the process.
Part 2: Compensation and Rewards
In this section of the presentation, you will differentiate among direct financial compensation, indirect financial
compensation, and non-financial rewards. Be sure to include specific examples of each.
Click here to access the presentation template.
Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit VIII Assignment
For this assignment, you will discuss the impact of collective bargaining on employee behavior, and you will evaluate
training and development methods for various types and levels of organizations.
Part 1: Collective Bargaining
In this section, you will discuss the impact of collective bargaining on employee behavior. You must choose at least three
ways that collective bargaining impacts employee behavior. Be sure to include a description of how the item impacts
employee behavior, and provide suggestions for improvement.
Part 2: Training and Development Methods

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

In this section, you will evaluate training and development methods for various types and levels of organizations. You
must choose a method that can be used for each of the following: small organization, global organization, and
management. Be sure to explain each method by using specific examples. Also, give your opinion on the effectiveness of
each method.
Click here to access the assignment template.
Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

APA Guidelines
CSU requires that students use APA style for papers and projects. Therefore, the APA rules for formatting, quoting,
paraphrasing, citing, and listing of sources are to be followed. Students can find CSUs Citation Guide in the myCSU
Student Portal by clicking on the Citation Resources link in the Learning Resources area of the myCSU Student Portal.
This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success
Center.

Grading Rubrics
This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each
rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each
level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your
efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics
because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities.
Rubric categories include: (1) Assessment (Written Response) and (2) Assignment. However, it is possible that not all of
the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have Assessments).
The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit
Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment.
Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics
are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the
Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be
submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting Tools and then My Grades.
Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your
Assessments and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades.

Grading
Unit II Essay
Unit IV Assignment
Unit VI PowerPoint Presentation
Unit VIII Assignment
Participation/Discussion
Final Exam
Total

= 18%
= 18%
= 18%
= 18%
= 13%
= 15%
= 100%

Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT)

The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule,
you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted.

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

Course Schedule

By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this
schedule for reference as you progress through your course.
WEEK 1: 08/01/2016 08/07/2016
Read Professor's Profile - Email your professor and introduce yourself. Read over Course Syllabus.
WEEK 2: 08/08/2016 08/14/2016
Independent Studies
WEEK 3: 08/15/2016 08/21/2016
Complete Unit I and Unit II and Submit Unit II Essay.
Unit I
Review:
Read:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:

Unit II
Review:

Read:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:

Introduction
Unit Study Guide
Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Resource Management
Chapter 2: Equal Opportunity and the Law
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
None

Strategy, Analysis, and the Talent Management Process

Unit Study Guide
Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
Chapter 3: Human Resource Management Strategy and Analysis
Internet Reading: See Study Guide
PearsonMyLab
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Essay

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

Course Schedule

WEEK 4: 08/22/2016 08/28/2016

Independent Studies
WEEK 5: 08/29/2016 09/04/2016
Complete Unit III and Unit IV and Submit Unit IV Assignment.
Unit III
Review:

Read:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:

Unit IV
Review:

Read:

Submit:
Notes/Goals:

Recruitment, Placement, and Talent Management

Unit Study Guide
Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
Chapter 5: Personnel Planning and Recruiting
Internet Reading: See Study Guide
PearsonMyLab
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
None

Employee Development and Performance Management

Unit Study Guide
Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
Chapter 8: Training and Developing Employees
Chapter 9: Performance Management and Appraisal
Internet Reading: See Study Guide
PearsonMyLab
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Assignment

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

Course Schedule

WEEK 6: 09/05/2016 09/11/2016

Break Week - Use this week to complete any remaining assignments. Review Units I - VIII to prepare for Final Exam.
WEEK 7: 09/12/2016 09/18/2016
Independent Studies
WEEK 8: 09/19/2016 09/25/2016
Complete Unit V and Unit VI and Submit Unit VI PowerPoint Presentation.
Unit V
Review:
Read:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:

Unit VI
Review:

Read:

Submit:
Notes/Goals:

Employee Retention, Engagement, Careers, and Strategic Pay Plans

Unit Study Guide
Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
Chapter 10: Managing Employee Retention, Engagement, and Careers
Chapter 11: Establishing Strategic Pay Plans
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
None

Pay for Performance, Financial Incentives, Benefits, and Services

Unit Study Guide
Learning Activity (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
Chapter 12: Pay for Performance and Financial Incentives
Chapter 13: Benefits and Services
Internet Reading: See Study Guide
PearsonMyLab
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
PowerPoint Presentation

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

Course Schedule

WEEK 9: 09/26/2016 10/02/2016

Independent Studies
WEEK 10: 10/03/2016 10/09/2016
Complete Unit VII and Unit VIII and Submit Unit VIII Assignment.
Unit VII

Employee Relations, Health, and Collective Bargaining

Review:

Unit Study Guide

Chapter 14: Ethics, Employee relations, and Fair Treatment at Work
Chapter 15: Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
Internet Reading: See Study Guide
PearsonMyLab
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
None

Read:

Submit:
Notes/Goals:

Unit VIII
Review:
Read:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:

Managing Global Human Resources and HR in Small Entrepreneurial Firms

Unit Study Guide
Learning Activities (Non-Graded): See Study Guide
Chapter 17: Managing Global Human Resources
Chapter 18: Managing HR in Small and Entrepreneurial Firms
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Assignment

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods

Course Schedule

WEEK 11: 10/10/2016 10/16/2016

Final Exam and Participation/Discussion.

Review:
Submit:

Final Exam and Participation

All Unit Study Guides and Assessments to prepare for Final Exam
Final Exam
Participation/Discussion

Notes/Goals:

WEEK 12: 10/17/2016 10/23/2016

Final Exam and Participation/Discussion.

Review:
Submit:

Final Exam and Participation

All Unit Study Guides and Assessments to prepare for Final Exam
Final Exam
Participation/Discussion

Notes/Goals:

MHR 6451, Human Resource Management Methods