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Syllabus
LER 426 : Staffing and Training Strategies in Organizations (3): This course focuses on the theory and practice of human resource staffing and training in organizations. Prerequisite: LER 201, STAT 200 or any other 200-level Statistics course.
Overview | Objectives | Materials | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | University Policies
Overview
This course explores the end-to-end talent management lifecycle as well as the impact talent has in creating a competitive advantage for an organization. The course provides a broad overview of the talent management lifecycle and explores its relationship to an organization's overall business strategy. At its core, the talent management lifecycle is comprised of three pillars: attract, develop, and retain. Through the exploration of the pillars, we will be covering the following topics:
Attract
- Workforce Planning
- Employment Branding
- Job Analysis
- Talent Sourcing
- Talent Acquisition (Recruitment)
- Legal Compliance
- Assessment and Selection Methods
- Onboarding
Develop
- Career Planning and Roadmapping
- Skills and Competency Development
- Performance Management
- Talent Planning as an Enterprise Activity
Retain
- Employee Engagement
- Succession Planning
- High Potential Programs
- Retention
- Offboarding
This course primarily focuses on the U.S., however since many of the topics explored could have global applicability, we will have ongoing dialog to include the global application of these topics. A strong emphasis will be placed on providing practical tools, methods, and concepts that can be applied in real-world situations to help further build your skills to enhance your HR expertise.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course you will be better equipped to:
- Know and communicate the talent management lifecycle, its implications within an organization, and the key elements within the three pillars (attract, develop and retain).
- Translate practical knowledge into tangible action steps for an organization.
- Articulate the major U. S. laws and regulations surrounding the talent lifecycle.
- Recognize how the talent lifecycle links to and compliments the overall organization strategy.
- Apply job analysis techniques and be able utilize them in the recruitment process.
- Define an employment branding strategy and describe the importance it plays in the talent lifecycle.
- Identify recruiting sourcing strategies and be able to employ these techniques to actively recruit.
- Identify and apply assessment tools in the talent acquisition process.
- Describe how employee development and career management programs can serve to improve employee retention.
- Define and discuss special issues in talent management, such as diversity, global mobility, and succession, and the implications within the talent lifecycle.
- Describe the fundamental importance of onboarding and offboarding programs and their implications within the talent lifecycle.
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.You will also be required to access Penn State Library materials specifically reserved for this course. See your Course Readings List for instructions on how to access these materials.
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 doorstep—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.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
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!
Course Requirements and Grading
You will be evaluated based on the quality of your participation in each of the stated course requirements. A final course grade will be calculated considering each graded requirement and posted to the online course gradebook. It is your responsibility to check the gradebook weekly to be sure that you are properly credited for assignments submitted. (If not, contact your instructor by e-mail.)
The instructor reserves the right to make subjective judgments about the quality of student participation and products. (In other words, quantity does not equate to quality.)
The following chart shows a breakdown of the course tasks and the points associated.
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
| Lesson Quizzes (10 points each x 10) | 100 |
| Short Essays (3 x 25 points each) | 75 |
| Long Essays (2 x 50 points each) | 100 |
| Discussion Forums (2 x 25 points each) | 50 |
| Talent Management Group Simulation Project | 450 |
| Individual Final Paper | 225 |
| TOTAL | 1000 |
Lesson Quizzes
Self-administered module quizzes are based on textbook and reading material. You will be able to access each quiz ONE time, so plan to start and finish in one sitting, though they are not timed. You may take each quiz any time during the time frame listed on the Course Schedule section of the Course Syllabus. If you are unable to take a quiz in the scheduled time frame, please notify your instructor as early as possible to make alternative arrangements. Exceptions will be made only for emergencies or illnesses. Lesson quizzes must be taken by the end of the corresponding time frame listed on the Course Schedule. Select quiz questions from Phillips, Jean; Gully, Stan, Strategic Staffing, 2nd edition, © 2012, are reprinted by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Groupwork Participation
You will work within assigned teams to complete the Talent Management Simulation Project, which spans several weeks during the semester. Your ongoing, frequent participation is REQUIRED throughout the period during which this project is scheduled. Plan to log into the course daily and contribute to both the conversation and planning around the project as well as the actual creation of the project components. You are expected to participate in EACH component of the Talent Management Simulation Project. Your grade will be a combination of your group and individual participation.
You will be asked to fill out a survey designed to collect information on the group activity in this course shortly after that activity is completed. Reponse to the survey is optional, but your participation will be greatly appreciated.
Group Communications: The two tools you will find most useful for communications in this project are (1) your team space discussion forums and (2) Blackboard Collaborate, a web conferencing system. We have provided a team space discussion forum for you to arrange dates and times for your live web conference sessions with your teammates in Blackboard Collaborate. Information on using Blackboard Collaborate is provided at point of need within the Talent Management Simulation Project segments.
Short Essays
Short essays require a minimum of 250 to a maximum of 500 words based on your choice of topics provided. Use of the text, course readings and any other chosen materials to substantiate your statements is required. Cite your resources according to APA style guidelines provided.
Assignment Format:
- Name and "LER 426 Lesson # Essay" atop Page 1
- Cite your resources according to APA style.
- 12 point font
- Double space between paragraphs and headings
- Single space between sentences
- Length according to instructions within each essay assignment
- 1 inch margins
- Page numbers (bottom of page, center ideally)
- Insert word count at the end of your essay (prior to citing your resources)
- Directions for saving your document in WORD format: Before submitting your essay to the Drop Box, save it using the following naming convention
last name_lessonNumberessay.doc (smith_lesson8essay.doc)
Long Essays
Long essays require a minimum of 750 to a maximum of 1000 words based on your choice of topics provided. Use of the text, course readings and any other chosen materials to substantiate your statements is required. Cite your resources according to APA style guidelines provided.
Assignment Format:
- Name and "LER 426 Lesson # Essay" atop Page 1
- Cite your resources according to APA style.
- 12 point font
- Double space between paragraphs and headings
- Single space between sentences
- Length according to instructions within each essay assignment
- 1 inch margins
- Page numbers (bottom of page, center ideally)
- Insert word count at the end of your essay (prior to citing your resources)
- Directions for saving your document in WORD format: Before submitting your essay to the Drop Box, save it using the following naming convention
last name_lessonNumberessay.doc (smith_lesson8essay.doc)
Final Essay
The Final Paper requires approximately 2500 words and is based on one of the group projects submitted for the Talent Management Simulation Project other than your own team. You'll choose one group project of a team other than your own, read their final written report including the appendices, and based on your semester long learning, write an essay analyzing the effectiveness of the groups' decisions in their work as Talent Manager to attract, develop, and retain the HR Manager for their respective organization.
In your essay, you are encouraged to compare/contrast your group's work to the work of the chosen team to support or refute the decisions taken by either team, and to articulate the lessons learned as a Talent Manager throughout the semester. In your essay, incorporate the course material and other research you've performed, citing the references following APA Guidelines provided.
Each essay written will be shared with the entire class and you're encouraged to read through these papers to broaden your learning.
Survey
You will be expected to complete a Mid-Course Survey. Please take the time to provide as much information as possible, as your input is used to enhance the course for future offerings. All survey responses are anonymous and do not affect grades.
Grading
The final grades of A, B, C, and D will be assigned as follows:
|
Letter Grade
|
Percentage
|
| A | 93 |
| A- | 90 |
| B+ | 88 |
| B | 82 |
| B- | 80 |
| C+ | 78 |
| C | 70 |
| D | 60 |
| F | 59 |
If you plan to graduate this semester, please inform your instructor by mid semester to assure timely submission of grades for graduation.
Assignment Policies
Assignments and course discussions all have a due date for submission to the course instructor. Assignments are due by 11:55 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the date listed on the Course Schedule section of this syllabus, unless otherwise noted. Late assignments will be penalized unless you have made prior arrangements with the instructor.
If you know you will be offline the day an assignment is due, please make sure to post it early. Any time you feel that you might be falling behind in the course, it is best to contact the instructor to discuss your situation. No assignments can be accepted after 11:55 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the final day of class.
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.)
NOTE: Prior to turning in your paper, you must run it through TURNITIN. 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.
Please keep a copy of ALL your work. We cannot assume responsibility for lost material.
Course Schedule
All assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the lesson, unless otherwise noted.
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Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” 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 Dean’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 .
University Policies
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
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.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
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.