Department of Management
Employment Practices
MGT 380 FALL 2008 – Course Outlines
Sessions
W 1900 - 2150
17566
JH1208
Professor
Kalyan S Chakravarty
Office
JH4224, Extension 2435
E mail
kalyan.chakravarty@csun.edu
Office Hours
MW 0900 -1000
W 1800 - 1900
and by appointment, if needed
Textbooks
1. Human Resource Selection, 6th Edition
Robert D.Gatewood, Hubert S. Feild, Murray Barrick
ISBN -10: 032420728-X ISBN -13: 9780324207286
Thomson South-Western © 2008 (Required)
2. Hiring Great People
Kevin C.Klinvex, Matthew S. O'Connell,
& Christopher P. Klinvex
ISBN: 0070718725
McGraw-Hill © 1999 (Required)
MGT 380 Fall 2008
Course Outlines
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Course Description
Staffing, the process of recruiting applicants and selecting prospective
employees, is a key strategic area of human resource management. Given that
an organization’s performance is a direct result of the individuals it employs, the
specific strategies used and decisions made in the employment practices will
directly impact an organization’s success or lack thereof.
This course will provide the students critical insights into recruitment, selection,
interviewing, background checking, and hiring; the role and requirements for
EEOC and Affirmative Action Programs; and understanding the pros and cons of
recruiting from within or outside. Contemporary innovative approaches to
recruitment and selection adopted by reputed companies shall be presented for
analyses and discussions.
Themes
 Creating and using job descriptions and job specifications
 Auditing application forms
 Developing recruitment sources
 Testing and selecting candidates
 Coaching line supervisors on interviewing skills and techniques
 Linking succession planning initiatives with recruitment strategies
 Establishing orientation programs for newly hired staff
Topics
 Job analysis in human resource selection
 Legal issues in selection
 Predictors of job performance: tests and selection methods
 The selection interview: key interviewing principles
 Measures of job performance
 Role and importance of succession planning
 Socialization programs
The learning objectives are:
A. Explain the importance of job descriptions and job specifications
B. Develop a selection program: budget, Critical Job Requirements and
relevant job performance measures
C. Understand the legal ramifications: EEOC, OFCCP, AAP and ADA
accommodations
D. Acquire interviewing and assessment skills
E. Establish linkages with succession planning initiatives
F. Identify critical elements of a new employee orientation plan
G. Recognize the benefits of collaborating with line managers in the
recruitment process
MGT 380 Fall 2008
Course Outlines
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Course Work
Middle Term Test (5)
Case Analysis/Application Exercise (4)
Punctuality, Attendance, Participation
Total:
50 pts
40 pts
10 pts
100 pts
A. Middle Term Test: (10%x5)
There will be five non-cumulative middle term tests. They will consist of a
combination of multiple choice questions, true/false statements, and short
essays on topics related to course curricula.
B. Case Analysis/Application Exercise: (10%x 4)
Throughout the course, there will be four case analyses / application exercises
of 10% weightage to each. They are intended to provide an opportunity to
actively experience the reality and complexity of the issues facing practicing
managers and human resource executives today. Among other benefits, they
would help the students sharpen their analytical and problem-solving skills.
Each student will be required to submit a written report on each case, on those
days scheduled in the timetable, presenting a coherent and defensible analysis
of the situation based on human resource management concepts and theories
learnt. The report should be an individual effort and anyone attempting to share
analyses and ideas will be penalized.
C. Punctuality, Attendance and Class Participation (10%)
Class attendance is absolutely essential. There will be no penalty for those with a
maximum of three absences. Students with four or more unexcused
absences will run the risk of even failing in the course. Habitual lateness
and/or leaving the classes early, for whatever reasons, are evidence of low
commitment and will be penalized.
Please come to each class prepared to discuss the readings and assignments
and to play an active role in contributing to class discussions. Those making
insightful comments that increase the level of energy and interest in the topics
discussed would definitely make a discernible impact than others.
MGT 380 Fall 2008
Course Outlines
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A superior participation score is given to one who demonstrates the ability to
comment upon the content and the process of our discussions. Some questions
to help illustrate the preferred mode are:
 Does the group become more energized after this person contributes? Is
this person more focused?
 Does this person listen to others and build upon their ideas?
Grading
The final letter grade assigned to each student will be determined by the
students’ performance on the course components mentioned above.
Other Issues
1. The College of Business and Economics at California State University,
Northridge prepares students to be ethical decision makers. The college
maintains high standards of ethical conduct that students are expected to
maintain throughout their academic and professional careers. Students in the
College of Business and Economics have identified the values of respect,
honesty, integrity, commitment, and responsibility as their guiding principles.
2. This syllabus is the basic guideline for various activities related to this
class. Please read it carefully, and refer to it as we proceed.
3. Please talk to me as soon as possible if you have any suggestions,
questions, problems and concerns.
4. Time management is critical when dealing with many, and often conflicting
demands. Such demands could be from your studies, your work, and/or
personal obligations. To deal with them effectively, you must set up your
priorities straight and work accordingly. (When in this class, you are required
to engage fully in activities in this class.)
5. All instances of academic dishonesty will be dealt with strictly according to
the University policies and guidelines.
6. All students are required to use the CSUN computing facility to send
and receive email communications.
MGT 380 Fall 2008
Course Outlines
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Fall 2008 - Timetable
SESSIONS
TOPICS, TASKS, READINGS
1 (8/27)
Housekeeping, Course Introduction, Syllabus Review,
Clarifying Mutual Expectations
An Overview of Human Resource Selection
Selection and Strategic Human Resource Management
2 (9/3)
Developing a Selection Program
Key Constraints in Developing a Selection Program
Current Issues in Selection
Readings: Chapters 1&2 (Gatewood) Chapter 2 (Klinvex)
3 (9/10)
Legal Issues in Selection
Federal Regulations: Key Employment Laws
Implications in Selection Decisions
Employment Discrimination: EEOC and Executive Orders
Adverse Treatment and Adverse Impact
4 (9/17)
The Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures:
Implications in Selection Requirements
Affirmative Action Programs: Prospects and Constraints
Employers’ and Employees’ Reactions to AAPs
Readings: Chapters 1&2 (Gatewood) and Chapter 2 (Klinvex)
Preparing for Middle Term I
Preparing for Case Analysis/Application Exercise:
Skill Practice Session
5 (9/24)
Human Resource Measurement in Selection
Fundamentals of Measurement: An Overview
MIDDLE TERM I
6(10/1)
The Nature of Measurement: Scales of Measurement
Interpreting Scores on Selection Measures
Practical Approaches for Making Employment Decisions
Readings: Chapters 3, 4, 5 & 6 (Gatewood)
Reliability of Selection Measures
What does a Reliability Coefficient Mean?
Methods of Estimating Reliability
CASE ANALYSIS/APPLICATION EXERCISE 1
7 (10/8)
Validity of Selection Measures
The Relation Between Reliability and Validity
Types of Validation Strategies
Preparing for Middle Term II
8 (10/15)
Job Analysis in HR Selection:
A Survey of Job Analysis Methods
MIDDLE TERM II
MGT 380 Fall 2008
Course Outlines
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Fall 2008 - Timetable
SESSIONS
9 (10/22)
10 (10/29)
11 (11/5)
12 (11/12)
13 (11/19)
14 (11/26)
15 (12/3)
16 (12/10)
1 The
TOPICS, TASKS, READINGS
Creating and Using Job Descriptions and Job Specifications
Incorporating Job Analysis Results in Selection Measures
The Future of KSAOs
CASE ANALYSIS/APPLICATION EXERCISE 2
Creating and Using Job Descriptions and Job Specifications
Incorporating Job Analysis Results in Selection Measures
The Future of KSAOs
Auditing Application Forms: Legal Implications
Summary Recommendations for Using Applications, T&E Ratings, and
Reference Checks
Preparing for Middle Term III
Weighted Application Blanks:
Using WABs in Human Resource Selection
Why is Biodata a Good Predictor?
Readings: Chapters 7, 8, 9 & 10 (Gatewood)
Chapters 1, 4, 5 & 9 (Klinvex)
MIDDLE TERM III
Uses of the Interview in Selection
How Good an Employment Interviewer are You?
Common Problems in Selection
CASE ANALYSIS/APPLICATION EXERCISE 3
The Selection Interview: Key Interviewing Principles
Identifying Critical Job Requirements (CJRs)
Past Behavior Predicts Future Behavior: The STAR Concept
Behavior Example Exercise
Behavior Question Exercise
Self Esteem Exercise
Preparing for Middle Term IV
Behavior Categorization Exercise
Data Exchange Discussions
Making a Hiring Decision
Coaching Line Supervisors in Interviewing Skills
Small Business Selection Interview
Readings: Chapter 11 (Gatewood)
Chapters 1, 6 & 7 (Klinvex)
Measures of Job Performance: Types of Job Performance Measures
MIDDLE TERM IV
Appropriate Characteristics of Selection Criteria Measures:
Individualization, Controllability, Relevance, Measurability, Reliability,
Variance, Practicality, Specificity
Readings: Chapter 16 (Gatewood)
Chapters 8, 10, 11 & 12 (Klinvex)
Preparing for Middle Term V
CASE ANALYSIS/APPLICATION EXERCISE 4
Wrap up
MIDDLE TERM V
timetable is subject to change
MGT 380 Fall 2008
Course Outlines
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