(12/15) - Final Grades are posted.  Have a Happy Holiday Season.

(11/28) - Next week we will have a series of roundtable discussions based on your issue papers.  Download the schedule by clicking here.  If you are doing a paper on a common topic, try to discuss your papers with your fellow panelists before class to see what some of the similarities and differences are in your papers.  Your issue paper is due at the start of class on Wednesday (12/5). 

(11/27) - On Wednesday we will discuss policy and procedures manuals.  Please come prepared to discuss the following exercise on policy and procedures manuals for Wednesday's (11/28) class (download exercise). 

(11/20) - Please bring a 1 page title and abstract for your issue paper to class next Monday (11/26). 

(11/19) - You have an opportunity to get up to a maximum of 4 points extra credit applied to your final exam if you submit multiple-choice questions with the answer and I end up using them on the final exam.  Submissions are due by the start of class on 12/3.

(11/15) - The Extra Credit assignment is now posted.  It is due at 7:00 PM on December 7, 2007 at the start of the Final Exam

(11/14) - Next week (11/19) we will discuss the readings on discipline and termination.  Be sure to bring your book as we will discuss the exercises on p. 367 - 368, Ex. 1, 2, 3.  There is no class on Wednesday (11/21) due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

(11/14) - Our final exam will be held during the final exam period on Friday December 7, from 7:00 until 10:00 PM.  The format will be a multiple choice examination that includes the material from the first exam, however, it will be weighted towards new material.   

(11/5) - Tonight we have William Fleming,Assistant to the Chancellor for Human Resources as Guest speaker.  There will be no class on Wednesday (11/7) because I have to be in Washington, DC to present a paper at the APPAM annual meeting. 

(11/5) - Next week on Monday (11/12) we will discuss the readings on workplace conflicts.  On Wednesday (11/14) we will continue this discussion and then begin discussing the readings on discipline and termination. 

(10/24) - On Monday (10/29) we will begin discussing the readings on performance evaluation and evaluating employees.  The final installment of your group project, Part 5: Performance Evaluation, is also due.  On Wednesday (10/31) we'll finish discussing these readings and discuss some common communication problems. 

(10/24) - Note that I have changed the days & times of my office hours to M/W from 2:00 - 4:00 and by appointment. 

(10/16) - Next week we will continue discussing the readings on motivating employees with salary and benefit programs.  On Wednesday (10/24) Part 4: Compensation is due for your group projects. 

(10/16) - On Wednesday (10/17) I will hand back your exam grades and then we will discuss the next installment of your group project - Part 3: Organizational Culture (due at the beginning of class).  We will then finish discussing the readings on recruitment and selection and begin discussing the readings on motivating employees with salary and benefit programs. 

(10/3) - There is no class on Monday (10/8) because of Fall Break.  The mid-term exam will be on Wednesday (10/10).  It is 40 multiple-choice questions.  It covers Chapter 1 - 8 in the Patton, et al. book.  To study, be sure you know all of the terms listed in the Manager's vocabulary and the study questions at the end of each chapter.  Be sure to bring a #2 pencil. 

(10/3) - On Monday October 15th, Frank Blackley, Asst. Chief  Fire & Life Safety Wilmington Fire Dept. & Frank  Tom Robinson, President Local 129 Professional Firefighters Association will be guest speakers.  They will talk about the assessment and the personnel issue surrounding the WFD.  Be sure you have read the City of  Wilmington Fire Department Assessment, October 2006 (focus on objectives 4,  5, 6, 8, 11, and the recommendations) and be prepared to ask questions. 

(10/3) - On the following Wednesday (10/17), the next installment of your group project is due - Part 3: Organizational Culture.  We will then discuss the readings on motivating employees with salary and benefit programs. 

(10/1) - On Monday October 15th, Frank Blackley, Asst. Chief  Fire & Life Safety Wilmington Fire Dept. & Frank  Tom Robinson, President Local 129 Professional Firefighters Association will be guest speakers.  They will talk about the assessment and the personnel issue surrounding the WFD.  Be sure you have read the City of  Wilmington Fire Department Assessment, October 2006 (focus on objectives 4,  5, 6, 8, 11, and the recommendations) and be prepared to ask questions. 

(9/27) - Due to me changing the due date in class for part II, changes have been made to the course schedule.  Part II of your group project on recruitment will be due on Wednesday (10/3) and Part III on organizational culture on Monday (10/15).  Your written assignments are due at the beginning of class. Due dates for parts IV & V have been adjusted as well. 

(9/26) - On Monday (10/1) we will discuss the readings on recruitment and selection.  We will apply the terms and concepts from the readings using an exercise that involves analyzing some actual job adds.  Be sure to download and review the exercise before Monday's class. 

(9/26) - Reminder: We will discuss Part II of your group project on recruitment on Monday (10/1) and Part III on organizational culture on Wednesday (10/3).  Your written assignments are due at the beginning of class. 

(9/18) - On Monday (9/24) we will begin discussing the readings on job design and analysis.  We will also focus on an exercise that involves analyzing some actual job descriptions.  Be sure to download and review the exercise before Monday's class.  On Wednesday (9/26) we will continue our discussion and you will present your job analysis group assignments. Be sure to bring copies (or email them to the class) of the current and re-written job descriptions you develop for the assignment. 

(9/13) - Next week on Monday (9/17) we will continue discussing the readings pertaining to the legal environment of HRM.  On Wednesday (9/19) we will discuss the readings on strategic planning in HRM, leadership, and organizational change.  Your paper proposals are also due. 

(9/13) - If you're having trouble finding an issue paper topic, check out this website - Human Resources - Business Legal Reports.Com

(9/10) - For Wednesday's (9/12) class be sure to read the handouts on the consequences of gossip at work and the results of a new study of the impact of diversity on society. 

(9/6) - Next week we will discuss the readings pertaining to the legal environment of HRM.  Be prepared to discuss case 3, 6, and 14 in the back of the Patton, et al. book. 

(9/6) - Your project teams are now posted on the website.

(8/29) - Next week (9/5) we will continue discussing the changing nature of HRM in the public and private sectors.  There is no class on Monday (9/3) due to Labor Day.  On  Wednesday (9/5) be prepared to discuss Case #3 in Patton et al. (page 416). 

(8/22) - Next week (8/27) we will discuss the changing nature of HRM in the public and private sectors.  To prepare for Monday's class (8/27) also be sure to read this short GAO report entitled Transforming Government to Meet the Demands of the 21st Century as well as the other readings. 

(8/22) - Welcome to PLS 502 - Public Human Resources Administration.  I will periodically post reminders and announcements so you should check the website frequently.  The syllabus for this class can be viewed on the website or can be downloaded for printing by clicking here.  You should view the course schedule for dates that readings and assignments are due.  Please check the class web site and your email frequently as the course schedule may change.

(8/22) - Since this class involves a lot of writing, I advise you read this recent article in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM) that has a number of useful writing tips (Download).