HRER 501 Sample Syllabus

Course Syllabus

The information contained on this page is designed to give students a representative example of material covered in the course. Any information related to course assignments, dates, or course materials is illustrative only. For a definitive list of materials, please check the online catalog 3-4 weeks before the course start date.

HRER 501: Labor and Employment Law (3 credits) Legal context of employment in the United States.

Overview

This seminar is based on the premise that all managers will benefit from having a foundation in Labor and Employment Law. It assumes no prior legal training or education. The material examines employment law as practiced in the United States. When you have completed the course it is anticipated that you will know and have advanced understanding of the principles and application of the employment relationship of employer and employee; affirmative action; employment discrimination laws; the National Labor Relations Act; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; Employment Retirement Income and Security Act; Immigration Reform and Control Act; workers' compensation laws; Fair Labor Standards Act; and other important legal aspects relevant in the workplace. Through this knowledge it is anticipated that you will be able to identify issues that impact Human Resource programs and services. The purpose of this introduction is to give you some insight into the subject matter as you then read fully the material for each lesson as noted in the Course Schedule.

Throughout the course, lessons will begin with a brief video or narrative that highlights one or more of the aspects of the lesson. These are presented by practitioners, some of whom are attorneys at law and others who are not. Information on video participants can be found in the Course Resources link on the left menu/Video Participants' Biographies. You'll notice that many of the video participants are Penn State Alumni. Each lesson also provides learning objectives in question format and activities. This lesson material will form the basis for individual and, from time-to-time, group work.

A typical lesson in this course will comprise reviewing the lesson objectives, viewing the video or narrative, reading and studying the related reading assignments, and completing the individual or group activity.

In addition, on a weekly basis, you will be expected to review updates provided through BNA services (instructions for accessing this are located in the Course Resources link on the left menu). From time-to-time this material will be used in activities. This is also a good service to use as a resource for seminar papers, group discussions and exam responses.

As participants in this seminar, some of you will have had more workplace and/or course work experience than others. This experience can bring many observations and solutions to the legal dimensions of human resource management. However, those who have less experience can, through questions surrounding the legal issues and careful reading, generate additional perspectives which may lead to yet other observations and solutions. With this blending of degrees of experience, similar to that in most workplaces, a richness of peer-to-peer learning can occur.

A final comment on the variation of experience may be helpful. The activities, both individual and group, are designed to give you the opportunity to grow in your knowledge of how employment and labor law impact programs and services as well as the challenges and problem-solving that go into human resource management, and vice-versa. You are encouraged to challenge yourself, based on your experience, by selecting questions and activities that take your research and your thinking beyond your current status. And, in the case of group activities, use your varying levels of experience and expertise to challenge yourself and your colleagues to reach a response that maximizes the group's ability.

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Length: 01:34

Access the transcript of the video.

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Course Objectives

After successfully completing the course, you will be able to:

Identify and understand specific employment laws.
Understand the nature of employment laws and the broad implications in the workplace.
Locate and understand legal decisions that have impact in the workplace.
Apply critical thinking skills which can be used to handle a variety of legal employment situations.

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Required Course Materials

Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.

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Library Resources

Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can

access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstepâ€”or even your desktop;
get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
much more.

You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.

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Technical Specifications

Technical Requirements
Operating System	Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version
Processor	2 GHz or higher
Memory	1 GB of RAM
Hard Drive Space	20 GB free disk space
Browser	We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion, and for advice on downloading a supported version, please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers. Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching, older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses.
Plug-ins	Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe] Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe]
Additional Software	Microsoft Office (2007 or later)
Internet Connection	Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required
Printer	Access to graphics-capable printer
DVD-ROM	Required
Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers	Required
Monitor	Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution

If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.

For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!

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Course Schedule

Lesson	Reading Assignment	Activities
Lesson 01 Part 1: Getting Started Lesson 01 Part 2: U.S. Employment Law in General Terms	Lesson 01, Part 1 Commentary View Lesson 01, Part 2 Video Text: Read Chapter 1	Complete and submit the Lesson 01 Part 1 Activities. Complete and submit the Lesson 01 Part 2 Activity.
Lesson 02: The Employer-Employee Relationship	View Lesson 02 Video Text: Read Chapter 2	Complete and submit the Lesson 02 Activity.
Lesson 03: Discrimination in the Workplace; Affirmative Action	View Lesson 03 Videos Text: Read Chapters 3 and 8	Complete and submit the Lesson 03 Activity.
Lesson 04: Legal Aspects of Recruitment, Application, and Interviews	View Lesson 04 Video Text: Read Chapter 4	Complete and submit the Lesson 04 Activity. Participate in the Lesson 04 BNA Discussion Forum.
Lesson 05: Background Checks and Employment Tests	View Lesson 05 Video Text: Chapters 5 and 6	Complete and submit the Lesson 05 Activity.
Lesson 06: Harassment in the Workplace	Lesson 06 Commentary Text: Chapter 9 pages 267-308 Chapter 18 pages 626-628	Complete and submit the Lesson 06 Activity. Turn in your Seminar Paper Topic.
Lesson 07: Workplace Accommodations	Lesson 07 Commentary Text: Chapter 10 pages 309-348	Complete and submit the Lesson 07 Activity. Complete and submit the HRER Mid-Course Survey.
Lesson 08: Work-life Conflict and Other Diversity Issues	View Lesson 08 Video Text: Chapter 11 pages 349-386	Complete and submit the Lesson 08 Activity. Participate in the Lesson 08 BNA Discussion Forum.
Lesson 09: Standards in Wages and Hours	View Lesson 09 Video Text: Chapter 12 pages 389-424	Complete and submit the Lesson 09 Activity. Submit your Seminar Paper Outline.
Lesson 10: The Legal Perspectives of Employee Benefits	View Lesson 10 Video Text: Chapter 13 pages 401-433	Complete and submit the Lesson 10 Activity.
Lesson 11 Part 1: The National Labor Relations Act Lesson 11 Part 2: Health and Safety	View Lesson 11 Part 1 Video View Lesson 11 Part 2 Narrative Text: Chapter 14 pages 461-506 Chapter 15	Complete and submit the Lesson 11 Activity.
Lesson 12: Privacy or Non-Privacy in Employment Settings	View Lesson 12 Video Text: Chapter 17 pages 581-621	Complete and submit the Lesson 12 Activity. Complete and submit your Seminar Paper. Prior to turning in your paper to the instructor you must run it through TURNITIN.
Lesson 13: Legal Decisions in Terminating Employees	View Lesson 13 Video Text: Chapter 18	Complete and submit the Lesson 13 Activity.
Lesson 14: After Employment Has Ended	View Lesson 14 Video Text: Chapter 19	Complete and submit the Lesson 14 Activity.
Lesson 15: Final Exam		Complete and submit the Open Book Exam.

NOTE: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please see "Graduation" on the World Campus Student Policies website.

Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.

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Grading

The World Campus follows the same grading system as the Penn State resident program. The grades of A, B, C, D, and F indicate the following qualities of academic performance:

A = (Excellent) Indicates exceptional achievement
B = (Good) Indicates extensive achievement
C = (Satisfactory) Indicates acceptable achievement
D = (Poor) Indicates only minimal achievement
F = (Failure) Indicates inadequate achievement necessitating a repetition of the course in order to secure credit

A	93
A-	90
B+	88
B	82
B-	80
C+	78
C	70
D	60
F	<59

GRADING CRITERIA

Activities	560
BNA Publications Discussion Forums	40
Seminar Paper	200
Final Exam (Open Book)	200
Course Total	1000

Lesson	Individual or Group	Discussion Forum	Drop Box	Points Per Assignment
1	I	N/A	N/A	Ungraded
1 Part 2	I		Lesson 01 Part 2 Activity	40
2	I		Lesson 02 Activity	40
3	I		Lesson 03 Activity	40
4	I		Lesson 04 Activity	40
5	I		Lesson 05 Activity	40
6	I		Lesson 06 Activity	40
7	I		Lesson 07 Activity	40
8	I		Lesson 08 Activity	40
9	I		Lesson 09 Activity	40
10	I		Lesson 10 Activity	40
11	I		Lesson 11 Activity	40
12	I		Lesson 12 Activity	40
13	I		Lesson 13 Activity	40
14	I		Lesson 14 Activity	40
			Subtotal	560
4	G	Lesson 04 BNA Discussion Forum		20
8	G	Lesson 08 BNA Discussion Forum		20
			Subtotal	40
12	I		Seminar Paper	200
15	I		Final Exam - Open Book	200
			Course Total	1000

Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.

If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.

For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.

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Assignments

Assignments are due by 11:55 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the date listed on the Course Schedule, unless otherwise noted. Late assignments will be marked down one grade. Assignments that are more than one day late will not be accepted without prior approval.

Students please note: The Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations does not view Wikipedia as a valid source for information cited in academic work. It can be a useful tool for quickly finding general information on subjects or as a starting point for research. However, students should not cite Wikipedia as a source in papers, reports, assignments, etc.

Also note: Some situations that labor law covers are of a sensitive nature (sexual harrassment, bullying, discrimination), please contact your instructor if you have concerns you'd like to discuss.

Seminar Paper—You will be expected to write a seminar paper on a subject relevant to the course. You will be permitted to choose the topic of your paper, subject to approval by the instructor. The paper should be approximately 3000 words, not including tables, references, etc. The American Psychological Association Citation (APA) Style should be used for this paper.

You will also be required to submit your paper to TURNITIN before turning it into the instructor. It is recommended that you do this a few days before the deadline in case this turns up any problems with your paper. To do so, you will use the information your instructor will provide to access their services. Then follow the instructions to download your paper to "First Submission." It sometimes takes several minutes for the program to analyze your paper. Eventually you should see your "Report." The Report should include a percentage score and a color code. If the color is green or blue, you are OK. If it is yellow or red, click to see comments. The report should indicate where your text is too similar to a publication. If the program turns up passages of more than one or two lines, this needs correction - you will need to paraphrase them and cite the source, indicate they are quotations and cite the source, or remove these passages.

Some of your assignments will include Group Work. Please read this helpful information on working in teams and groups.

As a Penn State student, you have access to lynda.com, your one-stop shop for video tutorials on Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and hundreds more topics--all free to active Penn State faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students. Take tutorials to help with coursework, learn techniques for your own projects, and build tech skills to boost your résumé. (Tutorials are not required or graded.)

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Academic Integrity

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is â€œan intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.â€ Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Deanâ€™s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.

How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.

In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.

All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .

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Accommodating Disabilities

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Additional Policies

Please note that course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. The course instructor and any teaching assistant(s), of course, have access to the course throughout the semester. Each course offered via the World Campus has several instructional design staff members assigned to assist in managing course content and delivery. These instructional design staff members have access to the course throughout the semester for this purpose. Also, World Campus technical staff may be given access in order to resolve technical support issues. In addition, mentor, department head, or program chair may be provided with course access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. Each of these individuals will keep confidential all student course and academic information.

For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.

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Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.