San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Campus
Course Syllabus and Schedule
PA 630 Seminar in Public Personnel Administration
Fall 2013, Monday 5:30PM-8:10PM, Room LA-004
Instructor: Richard C. Martin, Ph.D.
Office: Faculty Office East 112
Phone: 760-768-5681
Office Hours: Monday 4:30PM-5:30PM, Wednesday 3:00PM- 4:00PM, or by
appointment
E-mail: rmartin2@mail.sdsu.edu (e-mail is the best way to reach me)
The instructor reserves the right to adjust the course design
I.
Course Description: All people, managers and employees, encounter human
resource processes. In addition, these issues are frequently found in headline
news reports. Special cases such as genetic testing in recruitment and
selection; pay reform initiatives in compensation; employee and management
competencies in training and development; novel ways to evaluate individuals
in appraisal process; right to strike in labor-management relations; cases of
sexual harassment or discrimination based on sexual preferences make the
study of Human Resource Management (HRM) very interesting. This course
examines the personnel processes, in public service organizations, that are
vital to the functioning of all institutions. It studies how human relations
problems arise and what can be done to solve them. Additionally, the course
studies the processes and options employees who disagree with a personnel
decision have; how the raised level of expectations of employer and
increasing diversity in the workplace produce added challenges and
opportunities for managers.
II.
Student Learning Objectives:
a. Be familiar with the role of the HRM function in public service
organizations and how HRM creates a workplace receptive to change
b. Learn ways to improve the HRM functions in public service organizations
c. Value the history of the civil service commission and how it affects
selection
d. Understand the changing environment, key principles, and operating
characteristics of public HRM
e. Explore ethical judgments required in HRM and develop guiding
questions to make decisions
f. Identify the framework of HRM law and understand its paradoxes and
problems
g. Know recruitment and selection challenges and processes
h. Appreciate recent trends in training and development
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i.
j.
k.
l.
Comprehend trends and paradoxes affecting classification strategies
Demonstrate and understand appraisal skills and systems
Grasp the functions of a compensation system
Recognize the composition of the workforce and trends that drive
employee-responsive programs
m. Understand motivation philosophies
n. Be aware of paradoxes, contradictions, trends, and skills in labormanagement relations
III. Course Format: One definition of a “seminar” describes the concepts as a “meeting
to exchange views”. The idea behind this type of course is that the professor creates an
interactive learning environment where each person contributes input to the group and
that the time spent together is characterized by interactive learning. For you to get the
most out of PA630 requires high involvement and a commitment to trading ideas. Class
periods will include a combination of lecture, discussion, case exercises, and small group
activities/presentation. Discussion material will be drawn from the course text, current
research/articles, and relevant work experiences.
IV. Evaluation
Student performance will be assessed in several ways during the semester. Evaluation
will be based on the following elements.





Student presentation
Attendance
Class Participation
Exams
Research project
V. Course Requirements:
1. Textbook:
a. Evan M. Berman, James S. Bowman, Jonathan P. West, Montgomery Van
Wart, Human Resources Management in Public Sector, Fourth Edition
Sage. 2013
b. Frank J. Thompson, Classics of Public Personnel Policy, Wadswoth
Cengage Learning, 3rd Ed.
2. Examinations: There will be three exams during the semester. The exams may
include short answer, essays and cases. The exams will cover the material discussed in
class as well as the assigned reading. The exams are not cumulative and will cover only
the material contained for the weeks specified prior to the exam. There are no make-up
exams except in the case of extreme illness or emergency. Documentation will be
required, i.e., physician’s note with a phone number, obituary and death certificate, police
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report, etc. If you need to miss an exam due to a previous work assignment, you must
notify the instructor the first week of class or by September 2.
3. HR Issue Research Paper: As an individual or in groups of no more than three,
research a contemporary issue related to equality in the workplace. Topic that can be
researched include employment equality for temporary works, employment equality for
part-time workers, employment equality for women, employment equality for LGBT,
employment equality for undocumented immigrants, employment equality for persons
with disabilities, employment equality for minorities, employment equality for older
workers, employment equality for different religions and The Defense of Marriage act. A
written comprehensive research paper is to be handed in and a presentation will be made
on December 9. The objectives of the paper and presentations are for the students to
demonstrate an ability to do research and develop a position on a current public service
human resource issue by examining different perspectives and facts. A group has the
right to ask that a non-participating group member receive a zero for the project and the
presentation. The group must contact and notify the professor as least eight days before
the assigned presentation that they wish to drop the group member. The professor will
then notify that member, with no less then one week notice, that they have the choice of
doing their own paper and presentation or of receiving a grade of zero for the research
project and presentation. Papers handed in late carry a 10 point per 24 hour period
penalty. The research paper must be handed in on blackboard turnitin assignments.
4. Case studies and small group exercises: Case discussion and small group exercises
are a particularly important method for applying course material. Prior to class, students
will read and be prepared to discuss the cases and exercises in class.
5. Regular Attendance & Participation. Students are expected to be active participate
and make meaningful comments on cases and items being discussed in all classes. Class
attendance will be monitored. It is the participant’s responsibility to obtain materials for
any missed classes from other students. Missing three sessions or more sessions will be
noted negatively: there are NO EXCUSED ABSENCES for this purpose. Good and
active class participation will be rewarded.
6. Preparedness: Read all materials as outlined in the syllabus as well as any handouts
and be prepared to discuss in class. It is highly recommended that you read the assigned
chapters before attending the class.
7. Appropriate Behavior: Students are expected to maintain civility in the classroom.
No disrupting the class by whispering, and chatting to others, or working on other
projects is tolerated. The same applies to cheating and plagiarism. Students must
maintain respect for themselves and others in the class through appropriate language and
body language. Failure to comply with behavioral codes of conduct will impact upon
grades.
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8. Evaluation Criteria:
Class Attendance
Class Participation
1st Exam
2nd Exam
3rd Exam
Comprehensive Research Paper
Presentation of Research Paper
10%
10%
20%
20%
20%
10%
10%
9. Grading Criteria:
A = 100-94; A- = 93-90; B+ = 89-87; B = 86-83; B- = 82-80; C+ = 79-77; C= 76-73; C= 72-70, D+ = 69-67, D= 66-63, D- = 62-60
I will have discretion for adjusting the course grade by one grade category, (e.g. from D+
to C- or D+ to D) for quality class participation, excessive absence and/or frequent
tardiness or disruptive behavior. I will normally only use this discretion to increase
grades that are below a C+. A participant’s grade may be dropped one grade level if
he/she misses more than three classes.
A grade of “WU” for a “withdrawal unauthorized” (formally “U”) indicates that you
enrolled in a course, did not officially withdraw from the course, but failed to complete
course requirements. For purposes of GPA computation, this grade is equivalent to an
“F”. If you attend a portion of a course and then, after receiving a failing grade, stop
attending without officially withdrawing, you will receive a final grade of “F” rather than
“WU”
A grade of “I” for “incomplete authorized” is only given when a minor portion of
required course work has not been completed and evaluated in the prescribe time period
due to unforeseen, but fully justified, reasons. It is your responsibility to bring pertinent
information to the instructor and to reach an agreement on the means by which the
remaining course requirements will be satisfied. An incomplete shall not be assigned
when the only way you could make up the work would be to attend a major portion of the
class when it is offered next.
There are no make up exams except in the case of extreme emergency. Documentation
will be required, i.e., physician’s note with a phone number, obituary and death
certificate, police report, etc. If you need to miss an exam due to a previous work
assignment, you must notify the instructor the first week of class or by September 2,
2013. Papers handed in late carry a 10 point penalty for each 24 hour period. The
maximum possible late penalty is 50 points off the assigned grade.
10 E-mail and Blackboard- Every student enrolled in PA330 is required to have a
ROHAM e-mail account that is linked to Blackboard. Students can login to web portal
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click button Roham/e-mail account. It is the student’s responsibility to check blackboard
on a regular basis, at least every couple of days.
Classroom Participation Rubric
Distinguished=100- Proficient=89-80
90
100% will be
Participant is almost
received if a
as good as one
participant attends
receiving a
100% of classes and distinguished rating
is:
but one or two
elements are not
Always well
always done.
prepared for class.
Evident that
individual has
completed all
readings
assignments prior to
class.
Intermediate=79-70
Deficient below 70
Participation is
generally similar to
one getting a
deficient rating, but
there are one or two
elements done well
Seldom prepared for
class. Evident that
that individual has
not completed
reading assignments
prior to class.
Exhibits negative
attitude towards
course and class
members
Does not contribute
to class discussion
or in class activities
Exhibits positive,
supportive attitude
toward course and
class members.
Consistently
contributes to class
discussion
Consistently
contributes to in
class activities
Class Attendance
100% attendance = 100%
-8% for each class missed
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VI. Course Schedule:
Aug. 26
Review the syllabus, set expectations, getting to know each other, set the
contract, participant information
Sept. 2
No class-Labor Day
Sept. 9
Human Resource Management and Public Personnel Administration
responsibilities, environment
Assignments:
1. Berman Introduction and Chapter 1
2. Thompson Preface xiii
3. Thompson The Personnel Office Friend or Foe, page 135
4. Exercises:
a. Berman: class discussion exercises 1 & 3 page 47
b. Select groups
Sept. 16
Recruitment, tasks, skills and responsibilities, civil service staffing
Assignments:
1. Berman: Chapter 3
2. Go to web page www.opm.gov see USA Jobs and other
features. Bring a topic for discussion or question about what
you learned
3. Exercises:
a. Berman: class exercises 3 & 5, page 127
b. Berman: team exercises 9, page 127
Sept 23
Selection, tasks, skills and responsibilities, different philosophies
Assignments:
1. Berman Chapter 4
2. Thompson The Silent Revolution in Patronage, page 63
3. Exercises:
a. Berman: class discussion 3 & 4, page 166
b. Berman team activities 5, page 166
Sept 30
1st Exam
Oct. 7
Human resource planning, job analysis and job classification,
Assignments:
1. Berman Chapter 5
2. Thompson: Position Classification: A Behavioral
Analysis. Jay M. Shafritz, page 100
3. Exercises
a. Berman: class discussion 1 & 2 page 207
b. Berman team activity 7 & 8, page 207
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Oct 14
Motivation, climate of and tools for:
Assignments
1. Berman Chapter 6
2. Thompson; People and Performance Challenges for the
Future Public Service. Patricia W. Ingaham, Sally C.
Selden, Donald P. Moynihan , page 521
3. Exercises
a. Berman class discussion 1 & 3 page 236
b. Berman team activities 5 & 6 page 237
Oct. 21
Compensation and benefits, pay systems
Assignments
1. Berman Chapter 7
2. Thompson Merit Pay in Public Sector, James L. Perry,
page 121
3. Exercises
a. Berman class discussion questions 4,& 9, page 275
b. Berman team activities 12
Oct 28
Training Learning and Development, General principles of
learning, training strategies, organizational learning strategies
1. Berman Chapter 9
2. Thompson The Governor as Leader: Strengthening
Public Service Through Executive Leadership, page
247
3. Exercises
a. Berman class discussion 1 & 2, page 366
b. Berman team activities 6, page 366
Nov. 4
2nd Exam
Nov. 11
No Class Veterans Day
Nov. 18
Appraisal and discipline
Assignment
1. Berman Chapter 10
2. Thompson; Public Personnel Administration and the
Constitution: An Emergent Approach. David H. Rosenbloom,
page 367
3. Be prepared to contribute to the class an interesting question or
observation from the web page www.mspb.gov
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4. Exercises:
c. Berman class discussion 2, page 405
d. Berman: team activities 6 & 8, page 406
Nov. 25
Dec. 2
Employee friendly policies, family/work programs, health safety
and wellness, flexible work arrangements, traditional benefits
trends. social equity.
Assignments:
1. Berman Chapter 8
2. Thompson; Through the Glass Ceiling: Prospects for the
Advancement of Women in the Federal Civil Service.
Katharine C. Naff., page 328
3. Exercise:
a. Berman: discussion question 2 & 4, page 327
b. Berman: team activities 4 & 15, page 327
HRM law, employee rights and responsibilities, laws governing the
workplace, privacy issues, discrimination.
Assignments:
1. Berman: Chapter 2
2. Thompson; Cultural Diversity Programs to Prepare for Work
Force 2000: What’s Gone Wrong? Norma M. Riccucci, page
346
3. Be prepared to contribute to the class an interesting question or
observation from the web page www.eeoc.gov
4. Exercise:
a. Berman class discussion exercises 1 & 5 page 91
b. Berman, team activities 7,8 & 10, page 91
Dec 9
Discrimination continued
1. Presentations
2. Research Paper Due to be posted on turnitin assignments on
blackboard
3. Thompson; The Negro and the Federal Service in an Era of
Change. Samuel Krislov, page 281
Dec. 16
3rd Exam
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VII. Human Resource Issue Paper and Presentation
Due December 9, 2013, to be handed in on turnitin assignments on blackboard
I. PURPOSE: The objectives of the paper and presentations are for the students to
demonstrate an ability to do research and develop a position on a current public service
human resource issue by examining different perspectives and facts. Topic that can be
researched include employment equality for temporary works, employment equality for
part-time workers, employment equality for women, employment equality for LGBT,
employment equality for undocumented immigrants, employment equality for persons for
with disabilities, employment equality for minorities; employment equality for older
workers, employment equality based on religion and The Defense of Marriage Act, The
paper is to be well-structured, well-referenced and presented in a professional manner.
The general guidelines for the research report are as follow
(1) Examine the history and facts related to a current Human Resource issue in
public service organizations;
(2) Through research develop an understanding of the different perspectives from
the different stakeholders;
(3) The paper should illuminate the reason different stakeholders have different
positions and perspectives:
(4) Suggest a range of alternative solutions to the problem.
(5) Take and support your own solution and perspective.
(6) Utilize at least four peer-reviewed articles.
II. FORMAT:
. 10 (+) typed, double-spaced pages
. Divided into sections with headings
. References using APA style
. Bibliography
. Appendices as necessary (used for additional back-up material)
. Proofread for grammar, spelling and sentence construction
. Turned in by deadline
III. PRESENTATION: You will be assigned a date to present your research paper.
Your presentation should be as professionally-presented as possible using PowerPoint.
Please time your presentation to last approximately 20 minutes.
IV. ASSISTANCE: Your instructor will be glad to provide you with helpful suggestions
and guidance. Please come in during office hours, or make arrangements for special
sessions as needed.
V. WHEN TO BEGIN? Please begin planning your papers as soon as possible—
immediately is best. Do a little each day and you will find the task enjoyable and useful.
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