REVISED AMENDMENT TO EXISTING SYLLABUS FOR
Date Revision Shared with Students:In response to the 2020 COVID-19 global pandemic, all courses at the University of Alberta moved to remote delivery, effective March 17, 2020. Subsequently, a decision was made to adjust the grading scheme for all University of Alberta courses for the Winter 2020 term to award one of the following grades: CR (credit) or NC (no credit) as indicated in the University Calendar.
The changes were put in place to ensure equity among students, preserve academic integrity in extraordinary circumstances, and to manage the issues presented by an uncertain future, including the impact on our students and human resources.
To ensure clarity for students, all Winter 2020 course outlines for both undergraduate and graduate courses are to be updated using this template to outline changes to exams, assessments and grading and shared with students.
Course Code:
Course Title:
Instructor Name:
Instructor Contact Information:
Revised course assessment plan (Please list all assessed assignments and weighting below)
Created March 24, 2020
SMO 311
SMO 311
Managing the Work Force in Canada Leyuan Xie
Evaluation Schedule, Weighting, and Final Grades:
Job-Analysis and Case Study Assignments 10%
Exams (February 5th, March 4th, March 30th) 60%
Group Research Project (Due: April 10th) 20%
Attendance and Participation 10%
3/18/2020
IMPORTANT NOTES:
● If students require alterations in their approved accommodations, please contact [email protected].
● The changes with respect to the mode of delivery of instruction and assessment and the changes to grading regulations do not constitute grounds for an appeal under academic appeal policies (i.e. grade or academic standing appeals may not be advanced on the grounds of these changes).
● When Incomplete (IN) status is assigned instructors are required to communicate with students about the mechanisms and requirements that will be implemented to determine the student final grade of CR or NC. For more information, including the time to complete the remaining course work see the University Calendar.
Created March 24, 2020
SMO 311: Managing the Work Force in Canada Section B1
Winter Term 2020
Department of Strategic Management and Organization Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta
Instructor: Leyuan Xie
Office: BUS 4-27
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hour: By appointment. Questions by e-mail are welcome.
Class Information
Time & Room: Monday and Wednesday 3:30 − 4:50 pm, BUS B-9 Prerequisites: SMO 201, 301 or 310
Course Description
The primary objective of this course will be to introduce students to the principles of effective human resource management (HRM), and how HRM activities are situated in a variety of contexts (e.g., economic, legal, organizational). The course emphasizes that HRM functions more effectively when activities are integrated and aligned with business or corporate strategy. Specifically, the course examines the role and interdependence among a number of core HRM activities (see Learning Objectives)
Learning Objectives
SMO 311 has been designed to provide both awareness and comprehension of the HRM function, and serves as a foundation course for the 400-level HR classes within the Alberta School of Business. This course also incorporates the learning goals of the B Com Program, in particular: critical thinking, global awareness, oral communication, teamwork, and written communications.
These learning goals are measured by assignments and exams that assess knowledge acquisition, critical thinking, global awareness, and written communication. Group research project will assess research skills, knowledge acquisition, critical thinking, organizational and time-management skills, oral communication, teamwork, and written communication. Class attendance and participation will assess professionalism, critical thinking and oral communication.
Please note that the purpose of this course is not to turn you into a do-it-yourself human resource professional. Rather it is to equip you with the basic knowledge that will help you understand the HR function. At the end of this course, you will have developed functional competence in the following knowledge areas: Strategy; Engagement; Workforce Planning and Talent Management; Labour and Employment Relations; Total Rewards; Learning and Development; Health, Wellness, and Safe Workplaces; Human Resources Metrics and Reporting (cf. the CHRP competency framework, Human Resource Institute of Alberta (
http://www.hria.ca/
)Required Textbook
Steen, S.L., Noe, R.A., Hollenbeck, J.R., Gerhart, B., & Wright, P.M. (2019). Human Resources Management. 5th Canadian Edition. McGraw Hill Education.
Method of Instruction
The method of instruction will be a blend of lecture format and application exercises (e.g., class exercises, case analyses and discussions). Students are expected to prepare for class (i.e., read the assigned textbook readings before class). Attendance is strongly recommended and will be taken throughout the term.
Lecture slides will be posted on the course website regularly. All in-class material and all of the readings are potentially testable.
Evaluation Schedule, Weighting, and Final Grades
Job-Analysis and Case Study Assignments 10%
Exams (February 5th, March 4th, March 30th) 60%
Group Research Project (Due: April 10th) 20%
Attendance and Participation 10%
Evaluation Criteria
Job-Analysis Assignment. In Week 4 we will be devoting class time to an exercise that will involve investigating what we know about a particular job (assigned by the instructor) in terms of duties, responsibilities, core work activities/behaviours, and human attributes (e.g., required knowledge, skills, abilities, personality characteristics), organized into a comprehensive job description. Each group will submit their report before the next scheduled class. Note that students should expect to work outside of class to complete this assignment. This component is worth 5% of your final mark.
Case Study Assignment. In Week 8, on the topic of performance management, a case study analysis will be assigned. The analysis is an individual assignment and will be 3-paragraphs. Grading of the case study analysis will be based on writing (grammar, etc.), evidence of critical thinking and engagement with the content of Chapter 7. This assignment is worth 5% of your final mark.
Exams. Three non-cumulative exams will be scheduled throughout the term, one at the end of each module (see Topic Outline). The content covered by each exam will include all the assigned readings and lecture notes within the appropriate module. In terms of format, exams will be a
combination of multiple choice and short answer. Together, the three exams will be worth 60% of your final mark (20% each).
Group Research Project. For this assignment, the class will be organized into four groups (roughly 3-4 students per group). Each group will be assigned a focal company. Your task will be to perform research on your assigned company and address the questions designated by the instructor. Then, organize all of the information into an extended case study report at a maximum of 12 pages, including texts, figures, diagrams, references, and etc. Please divide the report into titled subsections and include an author contribution statement (i.e. who did what) at the end of your submission. Marks for this component will be primarily based on the quality of the extended case study report. The rubric used in grading is updated and posted onto the eClass. This component will be worth 20% of your final mark in the course.
Attendance and Participation. It is expected that students actively participate and complete all class exercises, presentations, and discussions. Attendance will be taken, at the instructor’s discretion, throughout the term. Marks for this component will be based on individual attendance and the quality of participation from each student. This component is worth 10% of your final mark.
The University of Alberta Grading System
Evaluation will be completed and expressed in raw marks (i.e. points or percentages) throughout the course. Grades (using the letter grading system) will be assigned only to the final distribution of mark totals for the course. Grades will be assigned based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative performance in this class and remain unofficial until approved by Faculty Council or it’s designate (i.e. Associate Dean).
Final grades in this class will follow generally the guidelines laid down by the University for the
distribution of grades in a 3rd year class (B average). Grading is therefore similar to a curve, although this normally works to students’ advantage in this class given that raw marks are usually on the low side.
See p.7. https://policiesonline.ualberta.ca/PoliciesProcedures/Pages/DispPol.aspx?PID=101
Academic Integrity, Honesty, and Plagiarism
The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/Codeof StudentBehaviour.aspx
and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions ofcheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
Use of Electronic Devices in Class
Students are permitted the use of laptops or tablet devices in class to take notes or access the course website or other materials relevant to the class. Other uses are disruptive to the class, the instructor, and other students, and are not permitted. Use of smartphones/cellphones for making or receiving calls or texting is prohibited. Smartphones/cellphones should be turned off prior to class. Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor.
Topic Outline: SMO 311 Winter Term 2020
MODULE 1
Week 1 January 6th and 8th Strategies, Trends, and Challenges in Human Resource Management
Read: Chapter 1
Monday: Introduction to HRM
Wednesday: Strategies, Trends and Challenges Week 2 January 13th and 15th The Legal Context for HRM and Creating Safe and Healthy
Workplaces
Read: Chapter 2
Monday: Legal Context; Case Discussion Wednesday: H&S Context
Week 3 January 20th and 22nd Analyzing Work and Designing Jobs; Group Assignments Read: Chapter 3
Monday: Patti Sherbaniuk (Research Librarian) Wednesday: Group Assignments, Topics Week 4 January 27th and 29th Job Analysis Exercise
Monday: Job-Analysis Exercise (worth 5% of your final mark; needed for Weeks 5 and 9) Wednesday: Case study
Week 5 February 3rd and 5th Planning for and Recruiting Human Resources Read: Chapter 4
Monday: Job Analysis Due (Beginning of Class);
Exercise (Developing a Recruiting Strategy) Wednesday: MODULE 1 EXAM (Chapters 1 − 4)
MODULE 2
Week 6 February 10th and 12th Selecting Employees Read: Chapter 5
Monday: Lecture; Time to work in groups Wednesday: Interview Techniques READING WEEK - NO CLASSES ON FEBRUARY 17th & 19th
Week 7 February 24th and 26th Training, Learning, and Development Read: Chapter 6
Monday: Guest speaker, lecture
Wednesday: Guest speaker, Touch on Module 2 Exam
Week 8 March 2rd and 4th Managing Employees’ Performance Read: Chapter 7
Monday: Lecture; Case Study Assignment Wednesday: MODULE 2 EXAM (Chapters 5−7)
MODULE 3
Week 9 March 9th and 11th Total Rewards
Read: Chapter 8
Monday: Lecture
Wednesday: Job Evaluation Exercise
Week 10 March 16th and 18th Creating and Sustaining High-Performance Organizations Read: Chapter 11
Monday: No class; lecture suspended Wednesday: Case study assignment due Week 11 March 23rd and 25th Managing Human Resources Globally
Read: Chapter 10
Monday: Virtual lecture
Wednesday: Virtual lecture; course wrap-up
MODULE 4
Week 12 March 30th & April 1st Exam and Final Assignment
Monday: MODULE 3 EXAM (Chapters 8, 10, 11) Wednesday: Time to work in groups virtually Week 13 April 6th and 8th Group Research Project
Monday: Time to work in groups virtually
Wednesday: Final assignment due by the end of the week
