Human Resource Development
New York University

Portions of this version of the syllabus have been edited - maintaining only the essentials.

Instructor: Jeffrey C. Sun                              Course Number: Y68.2320
Telephone: (212) 678-4048 [fax]                  Class Meetings: T/R, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. [06/29 through 08/05]
E-mail: jcs81@columbia.edu                          Class Meetings Location:  25 W. Fourth Street Building, C-3
Office Hours: By appointment

Course Description:
Course Description: This course presents a systematic approach to human resources management in the service management  industry. Students will analyze contemporary issues and practices, as well as the trends that will transform the way people are managed.

Course Objectives:
At the completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Describe the basic scope and implications of major employment laws.
2. Understand the effect of the Americans with Disabilities Act on employment and employment-related practices.
3. Discuss the techniques and applications of job analysis and job design.
4. Understand factors that affect labor supply and demand, and how to forecast labor supply and demand.
5. Summarize important considerations of internal and external recruiting.
6. Analyze common selection methods.
7. Identify techniques and approaches to employment interviewing.
8. Describe typical orientation and socialization programs.
9. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of several performance appraisal systems.
10. Outline basic considerations of compensation administration, such as determining pay scales.
11. Evaluate the effectiveness of various individual and group incentive programs.
12. Specify the major mandatory, voluntary, and optional benefits employers may provide for employees.
13. Understand the major legislation affecting the organization of unions.
14. Describe the process and possible outcomes of the collective bargaining process.
15. Summarize typical grievance procedures in both union and non-union properties.
16. Discuss the authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, including the implications of the OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard.
17. Analyze employee health and safety issues as well as the programs designed to address them.
18. Summarize causes of and prescriptions for employee turnover.
19. Compare common approaches to employee discipline and understand possible consequences of each.
20. Provide guidelines for employee discharge and termination.
21. Understand the history, philosophy, and other basics of social responsibility programs.
22. Describe the foundations of ethics in the hospitality industry.

Course Materials:
(a) Woods, Robert H. (1997). Human Resources Management. East Lansing, MI: Educational Institute.
(b) Additional materials may be on-reserve at the library with advance notice (at least 2 class meetings) [Bobst Library].
(c) E-mail account required.
(d) Internet Access: I will be attempting to place a portion of this course on-line (compliments of Knowledge Exchange).

Course Assessments:
15% Research Paper                                                          15% Presentation
15% Class Participation, Preparedness, & Attendance        10% Memoranda
25% Examinations #1 and 2                                                20% Final Examination

Assignments: Any submissions whether assignments, extra credit, papers, or alike must be typed in a standard professional format unless the assignment is introduced and due within the same class meeting.

 Extra Credit: Extra Credit is available for students who have an absence from class. One extra credit assignment may compensate for an absence. Similarly, three tardies or fewer which do not accumulate to more than 45 minutes may also be compensated through an extra credit assignment. Unfortunately, a maximum of one extra credit assignment may be allocated to a student's performance evaluation. Therefore, punctuality and attendance is critical to maximization of one's performance evaluation.

An extra credit assignment requires the student to locate a journal article that is related to the subject matter for the date missed. The student will write a 2-3 page, double-spaced, typed memo summarizing the facts, indicating its significance to the industry, and the implications to the human resource officer(s). Please attach the article to the memo. Extra credit assignments will be considered if submitted within two class sessions from the date missed but no later than Thursday, August 5, 1999.

Furthermore, qualifying extra credit must be consistent with the caliber of traditional assignments for this course and at NYU.

Pop Quizzes: The instructor reserves the right to conduct a "pop" quiz unless specifically stated otherwise. "Pop" quizzes are unannounced mini-tests. The score from "pop" quizzes will be factored into the grading component labeled "Class Participation, Preparedness, & Attendance."

 Grading System:

A 93-100 4.0        C+ 77-79 2.3
A- 90-92 3.7        C 73-76 2.0
B+ 87-89 3.3        C- 70-72 1.7
B 83-86 3.0          D+ 65-69 1.3
B- 80-82 2.7         D 60-64 1.0
                              F below 60 0.0

*Schedule & Assignments:

    * Subject to change, particularly to accommodate guest speakers.