BUS 225 Principles of HR Management_Summer 2025_Ashley Lankey_final-1.docx

 

BUS 225 Principles of HR Management

Instructor Ashley Lankey Email Ashley.lankey@PIT.edu   Office Location Online   Office Hours By appointment via Zoom or email

Units: 3 credits Length of Class: 11 weeks Instructional Method: Online (Asynchronous) Course Description This course provides an overview of key human resource management (HRM) functions in business organizations. Students will explore topics such as recruitment, selection, training and development, compensation, performance management, and labor relations. The course emphasizes legal and ethical considerations, workplace diversity, and the strategic role of HR in business success. By the end of the course, students will understand the fundamental principles of HRM and how they contribute to organizational effectiveness. Credit Hours: Lecture–3, Lab–0, Credits–3 Prerequisite(s): None   Required Textbook Human Resources Management (3rd Edition) Author: Debra Patterson Publisher:  Fanshawe College Pressbooks Copyright:  2023 Link: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/humanresourcesmgmt/ Access to Online Resources The following resources are available and valuable to your experience at the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology.    They can be found at my.pit.edu – under the tab marked “Student Information”.  Library Access for Students Course Catalog Student Handbook

 

 

 

Learning Outcomes

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

 

1. Analyze the strategic role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in achieving organizational objectives, with emphasis on aligning HR practices to business strategy and adapting to legal, ethical, and socio-economic environments.
2. Apply workforce planning, job analysis, and talent acquisition strategies to attract and retain qualified candidates, demonstrating an understanding of recruitment methods, selection tools, and compliance with employment law.
3. Identify training needs and recommend basic components of employee development programs using simple instructional design principles and learning outcome measures.
4. Explain the purpose of performance management systems and identify common goal-setting, appraisal, and feedback techniques that support employee and organizational performance.
5. Outline the key elements of compensation and benefits systems, including how market factors, motivational theories, and legal guidelines influence employee retention and engagement.
6. Evaluate the role of HR in fostering positive employee relations, including labor relations, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, and global HRM practices, with an emphasis on ethics, communication, and conflict resolution.

 

The table below outlines the alignment between the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and the Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for the Associate in Business Administration program, demonstrating how this course supports the program’s educational goals.

 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)	Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
1.     Analyze the strategic role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in achieving organizational objectives, with emphasis on aligning HR practices to business strategy and adapting to legal, ethical, and socio-economic environments.	PLO 2: Explain core concepts in the major functional areas of business. PLO 3: Apply basic business principles to propose solutions to organizational problems.
2.    Apply workforce planning, job analysis, and talent acquisition strategies to attract and retain qualified candidates, demonstrating an understanding of recruitment methods, selection tools, and compliance with employment law.	PLO 2: Explain core concepts in the major functional areas of business. PLO 3: Apply basic business principles to propose solutions to organizational problems.
3.    Identify training needs and recommend basic components of employee development programs using simple instructional design principles and learning outcome measures.	PLO 2: Explain core concepts in the major functional areas of business. PLO 3: Apply basic business principles to propose solutions to organizational problems.
4.    Explain the purpose of performance management systems and identify common goal-setting, appraisal, and feedback techniques that support employee and organizational performance.	PLO 2: Explain core concepts in the major functional areas of business. PLO 3: Apply basic business principles to propose solutions to organizational problems. PLO 4: Evaluate business problems using critical thinking and data-informed reasoning.
5.    Outline the key elements of compensation and benefits systems, including how market factors, motivational theories, and legal guidelines influence employee retention and engagement.	PLO 2: Explain core concepts in the major functional areas of business. PLO 3: Apply basic business principles to propose solutions to organizational problems. PLO 4: Evaluate business problems using critical thinking and data-informed reasoning.
6.    Evaluate the role of HR in fostering positive employee relations, including labor relations, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, and global HRM practices, with an emphasis on ethics, communication, and conflict resolution.	PLO 2: Explain core concepts in the major functional areas of business. PLO 3: Apply basic business principles to propose solutions to organizational problems. PLO 6: Produce clear, professional business communications. PLO 7: Describe effective teamwork strategies used to achieve business goals.

 

Across the curriculum learning outcomes

 

The College’s Across the Curriculum program prepares students for academic success by including the following elements in the learning outcomes requirements for this course:

• Computer Literacy
• Communications
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Quantitative Analysis
• Information Literacy and Research
• Collaborative Learning
• Professional Competency
• Ethical Behavior
• Respect for Diverse Cultures

 

 

Assessment of Student Learning

 

Evaluation Method (Grading criteria)	Value/Percent	Assignments
Quizzes 10 @ 20 points each	30.07%	Quizzes will be given weeks 1-10 and each one is worth 3.01%
Discission Posts 11 @ 10 points each	16.55%	Discussions posts will be given weeks 1-10 with an additional introduction post week one and each one is worth 3.01%
Assignments 6 @ 25 points each	22.56%	Assignments will be given weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 9 and each is worth 3.76%
Attendance 5 points per week	8.27%	Attendance is worth .75% per week
Capstone Project 150 points	22.56%	The project is worth 22.56%. It is broken down into a paper due Week 7 and a presentation in Week 11.
Total (665 points)	100%

Grading Scale

Number Range	Letter Grade	GPA	Achievement Level
93–100	A	4.0	Distinctive
90–92	A-	3.67
87–89	B+	3.33
83–86	B	3.0	Excellent
80–82	B-	2.67
77–79	C+	2.33
73–76	C	2.0	Satisfactory
70–72	C-	1.67
67–69	D+	1.33
63–66	D	1.0	Minimal
60–62	D-	0.67
Below 60	F	0.00	Insufficient
Failed to Attend	FA	0.00	Insufficient due to excessive absenteeism
Incomplete	I	0.00	Incomplete for 60 days maximum
Withdrawal	W	0.00

 

Academic Policies

 

1. Withdrawals from the class must be completed by the end of the 8th week.

 

2. Incompletes must be requested by the end of the 10th week.

Incomplete (“I”) is a temporary grade. Students must complete the Petition for Incomplete Grade Verification Form #140A. The student must submit this completed form to the instructor prior to the last scheduled class session, except in extenuating circumstances. Pursuant to the policy, it is the students’ responsibility to correct any deficiencies or submit work to the appropriate instructor by thirty (30) days after the last scheduled class day of the course or by an earlier date as assigned by the instructor.

Note: extensions will not be granted, unless there are mitigating circumstances; VPAA office approval will be needed.

If approved, the instructor will deliver the completed and fully approved Petition for Incomplete Grade Verification Form #140A to the Office of the Registrar.

 

3. All students, faculty, and staff members are expected to treat each other with the utmost dignity and respect.

 

4. Students are expected to be on time and prepared for each class.

 

5. Students are encouraged to actively participate in classroom discussions and activities.

 

6. Food and drinks are not allowed in classrooms or laboratories except for bottled water.

 

7. Students are expected to check the college-issued Canvas and their P.I.T. email accounts daily.

 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free of fraud and deception and is an educational priority of this institution. Violations of academic integrity disrespect the learning process, devalue the accomplishments of alumni and present students and invalidate the integrity of student outcomes.

 

Academic Dishonesty

It is the policy of P.I.T. to actively discourage academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is defined as the attempt to mislead or deceive to influence the grading system or process. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• The use of unauthorized materials or devices, such as a mobile phone, during an examination.
• Cheating during an assessment.
• Providing and/or receiving unauthorized assistance during an examination.
• Possessing a course examination before the examination.
• Using a substitute to take an examination or course.
• Fabrication of information or citations.
• Facilitating the acts of academic dishonesty by others.
• Submitting the work of another person.
• Submitting work previously used without informing the instructor.
• Tampering with the academic work of other students.
• Attempting to bribe institutional personnel to attain an academic advantage.
• Plagiarizing in any form, including:
  • Turning in someone else's work as your own.
  • Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit.
  • Consistently failing to put a quotation in quotation marks.
  • Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation.
  • Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit.
  • Paraphrasing without proper citation.
  • Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up much of your work, whether you give credit or not.

 

All matters involving academic dishonesty are serious violations of this policy. Faculty members are to report all violations to the director of their program or the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs through the Academic Dishonesty Reporting Form (#130-A). In partnership, the faculty member and the senior academic staff member will review the evidence to determine the severity of the violation. Prior or recurrent violations will be considered as well.

 

All matters involving academic dishonesty are serious violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Faculty members are to report all violations to the Dean of Academic Affairs and may recommend penalties for initial violations of a serious nature or recurrent violations.  Depending on the severity of the offense, academic dishonesty may result in the student’s dismissal from P.I.T. If it is determined by the instructor that a student has been academically dishonest, the Program Director will be notified.  The student will receive a “0” for the assignment and will be placed on Academic Probation. A subsequent act of academic dishonesty is likely to be deemed grounds for dismissal from the College.

 

If a student wants to appeal the penalty they have received, they must do so in writing, within 30 calendar days of the day the student is notified of the violation penalty to the Dean of Academic Affairs

 

Misconduct

To maintain a healthy learning environment, students are expected to act within the guidelines as presented in the Student Code of Conduct which can be found in the Student Handbook. Any student who behaves contrary to the code will be dismissed from the classroom and will receive consequences as listed in the Code of Conduct.

 

Accommodations

P.I.T. strongly encourages students to disclose their diagnosed disability to all of their instructors.  If you have had accommodations approved by the Director of Student Services, please be sure to tell the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs which instructors you designate to receive information about your accommodations.  Be aware that information regarding your disability and accommodations cannot be disclosed to any instructors without your permission.  You are not required to use all of the accommodations to which you are entitled, but you are strongly encouraged to involve your instructor in those decisions early in the semester.

 

Attendance policy

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology is an attendance-taking institution.

Attendance Policy for Asynchronous Online Classes

Attendance in online courses is recorded based on assignment submissions and engagement during the designated attendance verification period and on a weekly basis thereafter.

• Initial Attendance Verification. Students must submit an assignment by Sunday of the first week to meet the initial attendance requirement. Failure to do so may result in being marked as absent for verification purposes.
• Ongoing Attendance. After the initial verification period, attendance is determined by active participation, including completing and submitting assigned coursework.

Attendance is not measured by logging into the course alone but by engaging with course material and submitting assignments as required by the instructor.

 

Student make-up of classwork

Whenever a student misses a class or lab, for whatever reason, he/she has the responsibility for making up the work that was missed) and for meeting all of the requirements and objectives of the course. This is at the discretion of the instructor. If a student is absent from a class for 20% or more of the total class hours and has not been effective in making up any missed work or assignments and the faculty member is concerned about the ability of the student to achieve a passing grade, the College normally recommends that the student drop the course and take a “W” grade.  If the student chooses to remain in the course, he or she must understand that a grade of “FA” could be earned.

 

Specific course policies

Note all deadlines (dates/ times) for the first half of the term and the second half of the term. There are no extensions to the deadlines. Incomplete assignments and exams including the midterm and final exams will be given a score of “0%” which will then be factored into the midterm and final grades following the deadline. Online engagement indicators will be sent out throughout the term to alert students if they are in the “At Risk” or “Keep Watch” group.

 

 

Detailed Course Outline

The following outline provides important assignment details for this course, module by module. Students are responsible for all of the assignments given. All assignments will be given in Canvas.

Week	Dates	Topic	Assignments
1	7/14/2025 -7/20/2025	Chapter 1: Human Resources Strategy Chapter 2: Human Resources Planning and Analytics	Read Chapters 1 and 2 Introduction Discussion (Due 8/15/2025 by 3pm) Week 1 Discussion – CLO 1 Week 1 Quiz - CLO 1, CLO 2 Week 1 Assignment – What is HRIS? Students will research one HRIS platform and analyze its main features and benefits. - CLO 1, CLO 2
2	7/21/20205 – 7/27/2025	Chapter 3: Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and the Law	Read Chapter 3 Week 2 Discussion - CLO 1, CLO 2 Week 2 Quiz - CLO 1, CLO 2 Week 2 Assignment - HR Laws: Students will pick from a list of equal employment opportunity laws one law to research. Students will learn what the law covers, why it matters and present on how HR can ensure its compliance with the law. - CLO 1, CLO 2
3	7/28/2025 – 8/3/2025	Chapter 4: Job Analysis and Job Design   Chapter 5: Talent Acquisition	Read Chapters 4 and 5 Week 3 Discussion - CLO 2, CLO 5 Week 3 Quiz - CLO 2 Week 3 Assignment – Remote and Hybrid Work: The shift to remote and hybrid work models has changed how organizations manage employees. This assignment is to explore the opportunities and challenges of remote work. - CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO 6
4	8/4/2025 – 8/10/2025	Chapter 6: Training and Development	Read Chapter 6 Week 4 Discussion – CLO 3 Week 4 Quiz – CLO 3 Week 4 Assignment- 6.13 Case Study: Training, Not Like it Used to Be – CLO 3
5	8/11/2025 – 8/17/2025	Chapter 7: Compensation and Benefits	Read Chapter 7 Week 5 Discussion – CLO 5 Week 5 Quiz – CLO 5
6	8/18/2025 – 8/24/2025	Chapter 8: Performance Management	Read Chapter 8 Week 6 Discussion – CLO 4 Week 6 Quiz – CLO 4
7	8/25/2025 – 8/31/2025	Chapter 9: Health and Safety	Read Chapter 9 Week 7 Discussion – CLO 1, CLO 3 Week 7 Quiz – CLO 1, CLO 3   Paper Due – CLOs 1-5
8	9/1/2025 – 9/7/2025	Chapter 10: Labor Relations	Read Chapter 10 Week 8 Discussion – CLO6 Week 8 Quiz – CLO 6 Week 8 Assignment – 10:13 Case Study: Dissatisfied Employees and Unionization – CLO 6
9	9/8/2025 – 9/14/2025	Chapter 11: Global Human Resources	Read Chapter 11 Week 9 Discussion – CLO 6 Week 9 Quiz – CLO 6 Week 9 Assignment - 11.12 Case Study: American Factory – CLO 6
10	9/15/2025 – 9/21/2025	Chapter 12: HR Professional Practices	Read Chapter 12 Week 10 Discussion – CLO 6 Week 10 Quiz – CLO 6
11	9/22/2025 – 9/28/2025	All chapters	Capstone Project: - CLOs 1-6 ·       Power Point Submission ·       VoiceThread

 

Assignment Guidelines for Students

 

All assignments except for Discussion Board submissions are due by Sunday at 11:59 PM of the current week in CANVAS. Late submissions may incur penalties as outlined in the course syllabus. Please see below regarding Discussion Board submissions and deadlines.

 

 

• Quizzes: Quizzes will be given according to the course calendar to determine the student’s comprehension of the major ideas and themes of the course work. These will be completed in Canvas with only one timed attempt allowed.

 

• Assignments are given according to the course calendar to develop critical thinking about the chapter(s) discussed in class. These assignments will require students to apply concepts learned in class to identify challenges, propose solutions, and justify their recommendations. These will be completed in Canvas. You can upload a Word document directly into Canvas. Assignments are to be submitted by 11:59pm Sunday of the week the assignment was given.

 

• Length: 1-2 pages of analysis (excluding the title and reference pages).
• Content: Analyze the provided case study, applying relevant course theories and models. Identify key problems, apply appropriate strategies or frameworks, and propose actionable solutions.
• Structure:
  • Title Page: APA format.
  • Analysis: Clearly define the problem, analyze it using course concepts, and provide solutions with supporting evidence.
  • Reference Page: Cite all sources, including the textbook or additional research, in APA format.
• Formatting: Submissions must follow APA guidelines (7th edition), including in-text citations, double-spacing, and 12-point Times New Roman font.

 

• Discussion Questions: Each week the student will be given a discussion question to answer in Canvas.   These discussions will allow students to reflect on the weekly topic, apply theoretical knowledge, and engage in peer discussions. Please answer the question by 11:59 pm Friday of the week the question was presented.  For the question, you will be required to write at least one paragraph that includes at least 4 complete sentences. When answering the question, please cite any references used.

 

• In addition, you will need to respond to at least one (1) of your classmates by the end of the lesson week (Sunday). When responding to your classmates' answers, give examples and cite the textbook as well.  A response of "I (dis)agree" is not acceptable.  You will be required to write at least 4 complete sentences when responding to your classmates.

 

• Class Attendance: is determined based on students’ activity in Canvas over a 7-day period and recorded every Monday by 8:00 am. In the first week, attendance is taken twice (Tuesday and Friday). Participation in discussions, assignments, and activities counts toward attendance in this asynchronous course. Refer to the PIT Handbook for additional policies.

 

 

• Capstone Project

The Capstone Project is your opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the key concepts and skills learned throughout the course by developing a comprehensive, strategic human resource management plan. The project integrates strategic analysis, workforce planning, job design, talent acquisition, training and development, performance management, compensation and employee benefits, employee relations in alignment with organizational goals, legal frameworks and ethical standards.  

 

Project Overview:

In this Capstone, you’ll step into the role as the Human Resources Director for a mid-sized company (e.g., tech startup, retail chain, healthcare provider, or manufacturing firm). The organization is undergoing significant growth and must scale its HR practices to align with strategic goals. Your task is to develop a comprehensive Strategic HRM Plan that addresses current challenges and positions the organization for sustainable success. You can use a real organization you are familiar with or find a new organization that is new to you.

 

Project Deliverables:

 

• A professional written plan 8-10 pages (excluding the title and reference pages)

• A clear, visual presentation (PowerPoint)
• A VoiceThread recording where you present your proposal as if speaking to the company’s leadership

• This project is designed to help you practice solving real business problems, strengthen your professional writing and presentation skills, build a portfolio piece you can use in the future.

 

Key Categories of the Plan:

 

1. Organizational Context & Strategic Overview

• Brief description of the company (industry, size, vision, culture).
• Identify the organization’s strategic goals, mission and values.
• Describe the role of HR in supporting those goals.

 

2. Workforce Planning & Job Design

• Conduct a workforce needs assessment.
• Propose at least two critical roles with job descriptions and specifications.
• Outline recruitment and selection strategies.

 

3. Training & Development Strategy

• Identify training needs for onboarding and upskilling.
• Recommend a learning and development (L&D) framework.

 

                  

4. Performance Management System

• Propose a performance appraisal method (e.g., 360-degree feedback, MBO).
• Explain how performance will be measured and improved.

 

5. Compensation & Benefits Plan

• Design a total rewards strategy (base pay – for certain occupations, incentives, benefits).
• Include a pay band or compensation matrix.

 

6. Employee Relations & Compliance

• Address legal, ethical, and safety considerations.
• Propose strategies for union or non-union environments.
• Discuss approaches to diversity, inclusion, and workplace culture.

 

Modifications to Course Outline

The instructor from time to time may modify the course outline.

(This disclaimer enables the instructor to modify the course outline.)