MGT 495; Spring 2010; Kay Robinson
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CAMERON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA WILMINGTON
SEMINAR IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – MGT 495
Spring 2010
Professor:
Phone:
Email:
Office Hours:
Class Meeting Place/Time
Kay Robinson, SPHR
910-313-1123 (O), 910-617-9657 (C)
kay@robinsonhrconsulting.com
By appointment only
Wednesday evenings: 5:00 – 7:45, 5:00 – 8:45 every other week
Required Text: (Bring this text and your study materials to every class!)
Bogardus, SPHR, Anne M, PHR/SPHR Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, Third
Edition, SYBEX
Flash Cards (to be purchased in the Bookstore, details TBA)
Course Overview
This class is meant to facilitate your preparation for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) exam.
This is not your typical college class. The content domain of the HR Body of Knowledge is much broader
than can be covered in any college course, and, as such, it is not possible to cover everything in class
that will be on the PHR exam. In other words, it will not be possible in our few short hours together each
week to teach you everything you’ll need to know for the exam. My role will not be to teach you or to
dictate your study habits/regime. My role is to facilitate and support your studying and preparation for
the PHR exam and the State and Regional HR Games competitions.
It is YOUR responsibility to actively control your study and preparation. Your goal is not to get an A in
this course, nor is it to learn just enough to pass the class. Your goal is to MASTER the HR body of
knowledge and to gain a national professional certification in Human Resource Management. Being a
PHR is more than just passing a test. It is establishing a reputation as a knowledgeable and capable HR
practitioner. And this is the last year students will have the opportunity to earn the PHR designation.
Although this course will be a lot of work, I am absolutely certain you each have what it takes to be
successful!
Course Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Review the HR body of knowledge to prepare students for a career in HRM,
Integrate and augment UNCW’s HRM curriculum,
Prepare students to compete in the SHRM-sponsored HR Games Competitions,
Prepare students to take (and PASS) the PHR exam.
Class Format:
In order to best prepare for both the PHR Exam and the HR Games, each class session will be split into
two components: (1) HR Games Prep, which will involve key term quizzes, practice sessions, and mock
competitions, and (2) PHR Content Review, which will include lecture, discussion, presentations, and
exams/quizzes. Dr. Magnus will be leading the HR Games Prep component of the course, which will
MGT 495; Spring 2010; Kay Robinson
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typically be held during the first half of each class session. Attendance, participation, and performance
will be evaluated by Dr. Magnus during these sessions and applied toward the "Course Contribution"
component of your grade. Please arrive on time to class as we'll need every minute we can have to
practice for the Games!
At the beginning of each class there will be a 5 minute quiz (to be graded by Dr. Magnus) on 10
TERMS. At the beginning of the content section of the class (preparation for the exam) there will be a
5 minute quiz (to be graded by me) on 10 questions from the Chapter you were assigned to read.
THEREFORE YOU MUST HAVE READ THE CHAPTER PRIOR TO COMING TO CLASS!!!!
Grading/Evaluation:
20%
40%
20%
20%
Final Exam
CONTENT EXAMS (4 exams; 10% each)
Key Term Quizzes (to be administered and graded by Dr. Magnus) and Key Concept Quizzes
Course Contribution – includes selection to compete in HR Games competitions, completion of
pre-test at beginning of semester, HR Games practice performance, completion of the PHR
practice exam, participation, and attendance. Students will start with a perfect course
contribution grade and will lose points for (1) being absent from more than one class/study
session, (2) failing to complete the pre-test exam, (3) scoring below 70% on the PHR practice
exam, (4) insufficient participation in HR Games practice sessions, (5) not being selected to
compete in HR Games competitions (selection will be based on class performance), etc.
A
AB+
B
B-
=
=
=
=
=
93+
90-92.9
87-89.9
83-86.9
80-82.9
C+
C
CD
F
=
=
=
=
=
77-79.9
73-76.9
70-72.9
60-69.9
0-59.9
Please note: You MUST register to take the PHR exam by March12, 2010. Students who fail to register
for the PHR exam will earn failing grades in this course! Be sure to show proof of your registration to
take the exam by March 12, 2010. You are also required to take the test in May and preferably here in
Wilmington between May 1 and May 7. If you take the exam through HRCI before graduation, you
will not be required to take the Final Exam. If you pass the PHR exam you will get an “A” in the class.
You may want to take the Final Exam as a practice exam. It will be graded if you do not pass the PHR
exam.
Assignments:
See attached schedule of topics each week and homework assignments for preparation for the exam.
Extra Credit Opportunities:
Take practice exams on http://uncw.skillport.com/skillportfe/login.action and print out proof
Read white papers on SHRM web site and summarize concepts (bring to class and hand in to Kay
Robinson)
Read SHRM web site, under Templates and Tools, HR Q&A summarize concepts (bring to class and hand
in to Kay Robinson)
MGT 495; Spring 2010; Kay Robinson
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Studying:
Your study and preparation in this course will very likely be more intense than in any other course
you’ve ever taken. You MUST read, re-read, and study all six modules in the text (Ch 2-8) prior to the
night that chapter will be reviewed in class. YOU WILL BE QUIZZED EACH WEEK ON COURSE
CONTENT. I will provide some PowerPoint slides for this course but will only skim over and summarize
important concepts. If having an overview of the content areas is helpful, review the PPT slides from
your other HR and OB courses. But, commit to reading the entire chapter as assigned.
In class, we will discuss key concepts, take additional practice quizzes, hold mock competitions, review
difficult concepts, etc. We will try to spend more time on concepts that are confusing or that were not
covered in great detail in other HR courses. There will not be sufficient class time to review in detail all
of the HR body of knowledge.
During individual study, take notes. Highlight. Create summaries, note cards, outlines, flash cards, etc.
Follow the study suggestions at the beginning of each chapter. Quiz yourself. Re-read material that is
difficult for you to grasp or remember. Do whatever you need to do to really learn and master all the
material in the text and all the material that is not in the text that they suggest you know. That means
you may have to research additional material.
Creating Winning Teams for HR Games:
Dr. Magnus will split you all into teams to prepare for the HR Games. Although your whole team may
not go to the actual HR Games competitions, you will study and participate in mock competitions within
your team. Once teams are assigned, you should elect a team captain to help coordinate and facilitate
team study sessions. Your team will need to meet outside of class for at least one 2-hour practice
session per week. The time/day of these team meetings should be shared with me and attendance
should be taken. The focus of these study sessions can be determined by your team, but should consist
of mock competitions with key terms/phrases, reviews of practice exams, reviews of content area,
and/or discussions of course concepts, etc. As time approaches for the HR Games, teams may wish to
focus more on developing speed/accuracy with identification of key terms, etc. After the HR Games,
teams should continue to meet, but the focus of these sessions should shift to the review of laws, cases,
mock HR scenarios, and/or practice PHR exams, etc.
Summary of PHR Exam Content:
Module/Chapter
Approx. # and % of Items on PHR Exam )
Strategic Management
27 12%
Workforce Planning &
59 26%
Employment
Human Resource Development
38 17%
Total Rewards
36 16%
Employee & Labor Relations
49 22%
Health, Safety & Security
16 7%
Total
225
MGT 495; Spring 2010; Kay Robinson & Dr. Magnus
Class Schedule
Date
Jan 6
Time
5-6pm
6-8:45pm
Homework
Jan 13
5-6pm
6-8:45pm
Homework
Jan 20
5-6:30pm
6:45 7:45pm
Homework
Jan 27
5-6pm
6-845pm
Homework
Feb 3
5-6 pm
6-745 pm
Homework
Feb 10
Tentative Agenda
Key Terms Quiz #1 on chapter 2
Overview of expectations, grading, exam prep schedule
Review of the PHR test (registration deadline March 12)
Assignment of teams (Dr. Magnus)
Key Concepts Quiz #1 on chapter 2
Review of chapter 2 – key concepts
Take Pre-Assessment test in text (60 questions) (or on CD)
Study HR Games key terms - Staffing and Employment Law
Read Chapter 4 (Workforce Planning and Employment)
Key Terms Quiz on #2 Staffing and Employment Law
Practice Employment Law key terms
Key Concepts Quiz #2 on chapter 4
Review of chapter 4 – key concepts
Continue study of HR Games key terms - HRD
Study chapter 2 and chapter 4 for content exam
Key Terms Quiz #3 on HRD
Practice HRD key terms and other terms from prior weeks
Exam #1 on content chapter 2 and chapter 4 (100 questions)
Study HR Games key terms – Labor Relations
Read Chapter 7 – Labor Relations
Key Terms Quiz #4 on Labor Relations
Practice Labor Relations key terms and other key terms from prior weeks
Key Concepts Quiz #3 on chapter 7
Review answers on content exam (chapter 2 and 4)
Start review of chapter 7 – Labor Relations
Review terms – Total Rewards
Re-review Labor Relations chapter, take practice exam (handed out in class)
Key Terms Quiz #5 on Total Rewards
Review all terms to date
Review answers to practice exam
Complete content review of chapter 7 – Labor Relations
Study HR Games key terms – Risk Management
Read chapter 5 – HRD
5-6 pm
6-845 pm
Key Terms Quiz on #6 Risk Management
Key Concepts Quiz #4 on chapter 5
Review chapter 5 content
Homework
Study HR Games key terms - Strategy
Study for Labor and HRD Content Exam
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MGT 495; Spring 2010; Kay Robinson & Dr. Magnus
Date
Feb 17
Time
5-6 pm
6-745 pm
Homework
Feb 24
5-6 pm
6-845 pm
Homework
Mar 3
5-6pm
6-845pm
Mar 17
Mar 24
Mar 27
Mar 31
5-6 pm
6-745 pm
Homework
5-745 pm
5-530 pm
530-615pm
630-730 pm
Homework
Apr 7
5-745pm
Homework
Apr 10
Apr 14
5-745pm
Homework
Apr 21
Apr 27
5-745pm
TBD
Tentative Agenda
Key Terms Quiz #7 on Strategy
Practice all terms to date
Exam #2 on content Labor and HRD (100 questions)
Study HR Games key terms – ALL
Read chapter 6 Total Rewards
Key Terms Quiz #8 on ALL
Practice all terms to date
Key Concepts Quiz #5 on chapter 6
Review of Labor Relations and HRD Exam
Start Review of Total Rewards Content
Continue study of HR Games key terms including Strategy
Read Chapter 3, Strategy
Key Terms Quiz #9 on ALL (again)
Practice all terms
Key Concepts Quiz #6 on chapter 3
Finish Review of Total Rewards Content
Start Review of Strategy Content
Drilling for HR Games
Complete review of Strategy Content
Study for Total Rewards and Strategy Content Exam
Drill for HR Games
STATE HR GAMES IN RALEIGH at NC State
Debrief from State Games: Strategies and Best Practices
Study for Total Rewards and Strategy Content Exam
Exam #3 on Content for Total Rewards and Strategy (100 questions)
Read Chapter 8 – Risk Management
Continue study of HR Games key terms
DRILL FOR GAMES!!!
Review slides on Risk Management
Regional HR Games in Knoxville, TN
Key Concepts Quiz #7 on Risk Management
Review of Risk Management Content
Take practice exam on CD
Study for practice exam in class
Exam #4 ALL content (200 questions)
Reading Day (optional)
225 question practice exam and review of answers with Kay
Final exam: Wednesday April 28th 7:00-10:00pm
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