Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus

 

Welcome to Challenges in HR!

(It is always a puzzle)

 

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V373 -- HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

 

O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Term: Fall 2026 SECTION 23850

Classroom: Biology (JH 009)

 

Class Time: Monday/Wednesday — 2:20 - 3:35 pm

 

Instructor: Mark Uebel, MS

 

Course Teaching Assistant: 

 

Office Hours: I will be in the Atrium of the Biology between 1:00 and 2:00 pm each class day. I will be glad to answer questions, help with assignments, advise your on internships, and advise you on car repair and relationship issues (just kidding on this one). I will buy you coffee, seriously.  I am available via Zoom by appointment (https://iu.zoom.us/my/mauebel) Email: uebelma@iu.edu

 (https://iu.zoom.us/my/mauebel) Email: uebelma@iu.edu

Office Phone: 812-855-7980 Mailbox: Located in SPEA 412 (Adjunct Faculty Office) Home Office Phone: 

 

 

Why am I Taking this Course in the Age of AI?

 

Yes, we are in a completely new era. Many HR functions are now automated: screening candidates, benefits management, and performance management, to name a few. So here are my reasons why you (and everyone else) should take V373.

  • This class is about learning to be a manager, not just the specific issues about HR You will likely be in a management role at some time in your career. In the class, we will build on what you already know.
  • AI does repeatable, codifiable Humans are needed for critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. These human skills are why you are studying human resources management.
  • Employers regularly state that they need employees who can communicate and function effectively in high-performance The format of this class will teach these skills.

 

My Commitment to You

 

  • Class will begin and end on time

 

  • Class is based on mutual commitment to learning and respect and openness to ideas

 

  • I am available and open to your comments and needs

 

  • You will find that you already know more than you think you know

 

  • You will learn a lot and be able to apply what you learn

 

  • I won't quit on you unless you quit on the class

 

  • I will respond to your questions outside of class on a timely

 

What You Will Learn

 

Of course, you will learn the basics of human resources management laws, procedures, and skills. You will also learn critical thinking, problem-solving skills, dealing with management challenges in an ethical manner, and employee engagement.

Course Description

 

The purpose of this class is to provide you with an understanding of fundamental critical issues, concepts, and functions of Human Resources Management (HRM) for the public sector. The concepts will also directly relate to not-for-profit and private sectors, as well. Indeed, our graduates are prepared and hired in all sectors. The intent, in part, is to enhance your success in the workplace through an understanding of business practice and fundamental elements of HR functional areas. Whether you are an HR major, a management major, or taking this class as an elective, you are likely to supervise others in your career. This class will give you an excellent background in making decisions that you will commonly face.

The workplace has changed as much in the past 4 years as I have seen it change in decades. In many ways, we will model the changed workplace through participation in this class. The contemporary workplace functions through teams, so much of our class work will take place in discussion groups. What we learn about engaging employees, you will put into practice in your careers.

The challenges to HR and our organizations are unprecedented. Historically low unemployment and a shrinking labor pool have made finding and retaining employees more challenging than ever before this time. Benefit costs escalate at the same time that salary demands increase. There is a real need to finally pay men and women equitably. AI is changing how we work. All this at the same time we need to respond to the concerns of the #MeToo Movement and meet the challenges of Inclusion and Diversity. HR is no longer the place for paper pushers; HR is now the center of making our organizations successful.

I am honored to have you in this class. I hope to bring my over 35 years of HR experience to show you both the art and science of human resource management. I was a manager before I was in HR, so I hope to develop managerial skills in you, as well as being able to apply HR principles.

The class is highly participatory, just as success in the contemporary workplace is dependent on collaboration. Part of the class is learning basic problem-solving skills through actual case studies and real-life examples (many of which come from my experiences). These skills transcend HR and will help you be successful in any endeavor. We will frequently work in groups because teamwork and communication skills are vital in all walks of life. We all bring our experiences and ideas into the classroom where we will learn from each other.

Understanding and Tolerance of Various Points of View

 

The focus of this course is managing people and specifically the art and science of human resources management. Within that focus, I have selected class materials that present a variety of topics and arguments, including employee engagement, the need for workers in this country and the inclusion of everyone in the workplace. It is likely that connections between our course and current and/or historical events outside the classroom will come up in lectures, class discussions, and assignments. Those connections may require careful thought rather than being immediately obvious, but the ability to understand and analyze connections among ideas and events is a core skill in a professional career and will stand you in good stead in your life beyond IU.

I pledge an openness to ideas and ask everyone in the classroom to be respectful of varying viewpoints. I also pledge that all of the viewpoints covered are supported by data and studies from other professionals. I will gladly share my sources throughout the semester.

V373 Goal Statement and Learning Outcomes

 

V373 Goal Statement: Upon course completion, students are able to explain a broad spectrum of core Human Resource Management (HRM) principles applicable to all sectors of the economy; implement and apply these principles; evaluate the practical and legal implications of HRM practices; articulate unique challenges in public and non-profit sectors; and differentiate the career relevance for employees, managers, and HRM practitioners.

 

V373 Learning Outcomes:
  • Recruitment and Selection: Students can select and apply legally and practically appropriate staffing techniques according to basic principles of validity and reliability.

 

  • Employee Development: Students can articulate the value of employee training, development, job design, and job enrichment.

 

  • Compensation, Benefits, and Performance Management Systems: Students can summarize basic components of compensation plans and performance evaluation systems, assess potential deficiencies, and compare elements as they relate to organizational objectives.

 

  • Employee Relations including Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Health, and Safety: Students can consider the connection between employee relations practices, health and safety initiatives, diversity and inclusion, and organizational outcomes.

 

  • Employment Law: Students can articulate compliance with, and apply, major labor laws regarding recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, employee relations, health, and safety.

 

  • Information Literacy: Through various assessments and writing exercises, students can compare HRM practices and policies from varying perspectives, synthesize information, evaluate source credibility, and draw conclusions based on their evaluation of content.
Course Readings
The readings assigned in the Modules section of Canvas will likely change to incorporate up-to-date news that is relevant to our course. Readings will typically be solidified at least one week before each course meeting. It is your responsibility to be aware of and follow these changes. The dates in the Syllabus Course Summary may change, and it is the students' responsibility to be aware of these changes.

Required reading assignments are available on Canvas. While some of the readings (text-based) provide foundational information, the primary purpose of the reading is to expose students to issues and topics relevant to the course from the perspective of HR professionals. As the field of Human Resources is dynamic, current articles provide valuable insight into recent developments in HR. The Canvas collection contains scholarly articles along with cases and articles written by and for HR practitioners. You are responsible for the content of all assigned reading, any materials distributed in class or on Canvas, and all information discussed in class. Additional or replacement readings may be assigned. Class time will generally be dedicated to establishing a foundation of HRM knowledge and discussion of real-life examples and cases. We will spend little time directly discussing reading assignments.

The readings appearing on Canvas define required readings.

 

The primary text from which some of the readings are assigned is:

 

Lussier and Hendon Human Resources Management 4th edition or 5th Edition

The textbook can be purchased through the IMU Bookstore or through Amazon.. The link for rental or purchase is:

 

https://www.bkstr.com/indianastore/course-materials-results?shopBy=course&divisionDisplayName=&departmentDisplayName=SPEA-V&courseDisplayName=373&sectionDisplayName=23850&programId=5130&termId=100092650

 

 

Additional topical reading is posted on Canvas in the modules. Because human resources is a constantly changing field, readings will be updated during the semester. It is your responsibility to be aware of these changes and respond to them.