Main Content
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.
There are no prerequisites for this course.
LHR 429 Conducting Workplace Investigations
This 400-level course presents the incident-management process in a manner that is relevant to managers, human resources professionals, and labor relations professionals. This course focuses on the investigative process most critical in describing and explaining such events as
- accidents
- harassment
- altercations (fights, etc.)
- abuse of patients/customers
The course will provide a framework for executing the various types of investigative tasks based on evidence-based best practices.
Overview | Objectives | Materials | Library Resources | Technical Requirements and Help | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Student Success and Support Resources | Additional Policies
Overview
This course will provide a framework for executing tasks associated with incident investigations, which are critical tools for LHR professionals and other managers making decisions that best protect an organization’s stakeholders from harm. You will learn evidence-based best practices as they relate to relevant scholarship, along with the three critical values that underlie these methodologies: speed, thoroughness, and objectivity.
With respect to incident investigations and interviewing witnesses at the scene of an incident (i.e., eyewitnesses), you will build knowledge and skills in conducting cognitive interviews. You will study workplace investigations in the context of the management processes that utilize investigative findings to better protect people and the organization from harm. In addition, the course will delve into legal issues related to such topics as hearsay, opinion and expert testimony, and the degree to which someone is competent to give testimony. Throughout the course, you will address the ethical dilemmas that emerge in both collecting and using information related to the various types of inquiry.
In addition to collecting and preserving physical evidence, you will build skills in reconciling inevitable conflicts in evidence, such as conflicting eyewitness statements or a conflict between physical evidence and testimonial evidence. Analyses will consider the role that science and technology can play in helping to resolve these discrepancies.
Finally, you will study research from a variety of disciplines:
- law
- psychology
- criminal justice
- economics
- ethics
- sociology
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to do the following things:
- Explain the need for systematic collection of facts for the purpose of describing and explaining an event under investigation.
- Explain the manner in which speed, thoroughness, and objectivity impact the quality of the investigator’s work product.
- Explain the role of the cognitive interview process when interviewing witnesses at the scene of an incident.
- Conduct an incident interview that applies cognitive interviewing principles.
- Properly preserve various forms of evidence.
- Report investigatory conclusions based on the evidence collected during the investigatory process.
- Apply course principles to investigations of sexual harassment, abuse and neglect of people with disabilities, and workplace violence.
Required Course Materials
This course requires that you access Penn State library materials specifically reserved for this course. You can access these materials by selecting Library Resources in your course navigation, or by accessing the Library E-Reserves Search and search for your instructor's last name.
E-Book Option: An online version of one or more of your texts is available at no cost as a Penn State Library E-Book. Some E-Books will only be available online, while others will be available to download in full or in part. You may choose to use the E-Book as an alternative to purchasing a physical copy of the text. You can access the E-Book by selecting the Library Resources link on the course navigation, and then selecting the E-Reserves link. For questions or issues, you can contact the University Libraries Reserve Help (UL-RESERVESHELP@LISTS.PSU.EDU).
You may purchase course materials from Barnes & Noble College (the bookstore used by Penn State's World Campus). For pricing and ordering information, please see the Barnes & Noble College website. Materials will be available at Barnes & Noble College approximately three weeks before the course begins. Alternatively, you may obtain these texts from other favorite bookstores. Be sure you purchase the edition/publication date listed.
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 doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You can view the Online Students' Library Guide for more information.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page and select My Account.
Technical Requirements and Help
For this course we recommend the minimum World Campus technical requirements listed below:
| 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. |
| Help | If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information about 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.
Course Requirements and Grading
Quizzes
Quizzes will provide you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to identify and classify concepts introduced in the lessons. These concepts will be used at various points in the course to execute an effective investigation.
Class Discussions
Class discussions allow you to share information and perspectives on the lesson content in a civil conversation about the manner in which others' assessments impact their own points of view.
Reports
Reports will give you the opportunity to apply course information and concepts to situations requiring you to take on the role of an HR professional who is expected to recommend a process policy for conducting an effective investigation or to assess the quality of an investigation.
Simulation
In Lesson 9, you can choose to demonstrate your ability to execute an incident interview consistent with a detailed rubric constructed for such purposes.
Essays
Essays will require you to synthesize materials from the lesson (and/or individual research complementing those materials) in a manner that illustrates your ability to either compare and contrast possible courses of action or, in some cases, analyze and evaluate the value of certain information in the investigatory process.
| Assessment Category | Quantity | Weight Toward Final Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Quizzes and Tests | 5 | 125/1000 points |
| Class Discussions | 6 | 225/1000 points |
| Demonstrations | 2 | 150/1000 points |
| Essays | 5 | 500/1000 points |
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Description of each assignment category
Category 1: Quizzes
Quizzes will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to identify and classify concepts introduced into the lessons. These are concepts that will be used at various points in the course to execute an effective investigation.
Category 2: Class Discussions
Class discussions allow student to share information and perspectives on the content of a lesson and conduct a civil conversation about the manner in which others' assessments impact their own point of view.
Category 3: Demonstrations
Will demonstrate their ability execute skills consistent with a detailed rubric constructed for that purpose.
Category 4: Essays
Essays will require students to synthesize materials from the lesson and/or individual research complementing those materials in a manner that illustrates their ability to either compare and contrast possible courses of action or, in some cases, analyze and evaluate the value of certain information ot the investigatory process.
| Letter Grade | % Range |
|---|---|
| A | 93.0% to100% |
| A- | <93.0% to 90.0% |
| B+ | <90.0% to 87.0% |
| B | <87.0% to 83.0% |
| B- | <83.0% to 80.0% |
| C+ | <80.0% to 77.0% |
| C | <77.0% to 70.0% |
| D | <70.0% to 60.0% |
| F | <60.0% to 0.0% |
Additional Considerations
In this class, Wikipedia and related "-pedia" sites are not considered valid sources for information cited in academic work. They can be useful tools for quickly finding general subject information or for starting research; however, you may not cite Wikipedia and similar websites as sources in papers, reports, discussions, or other assignments. These sources do not identify the author(s), and, therefore, there is no way to assess the validity of their entries.
The professor will identify rules for submitting guidelines for the submission and grading of late activities. Please see the associated Canvas Announcement from the instructor. (what if someone else is teaching?)
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 refer to the World Campus student policy website's Graduation section.
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
Late Policy
Assignments are to be submitted by the due date listed in the course syllabus. If a student is unable to submit their assignment by that due date, it is the student's responsibility to discuss their circumstances with their instructor before the due date of the assignment. Failure to request an assignment extension prior to its due date may subject the student to late penalties, as determined by the instructor, up to and including a zero for the assignment grade.
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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 refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
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.
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 .
Student Success and Support Resources
The Chaiken Center for Student Success at Penn State World Campus guides you to the right resources and support you need–when you need them–along your academic journey. You can connect with peers and support teams to find direction, information, and networking opportunities. On the website, you'll find information and resources on many aspects of being a World Campus student:
- Finances—tuition, scholarships, and financial aid
- Inclusion and Wellness—diversity and inclusion, mental health services, disability accommodations, care and advocacy
- Enrollment and Registration—course planning, adding and dropping courses, and much more
- Course Work and Success—academic advising, tutoring, and other services
- Involvement and Opportunities—career resources, student organizations, internships, service, study abroad, and more
Following are some key resources.
Student Disability Services
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.
Counseling and Psychological Services
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.
Military Student Information
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Additional Policies
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
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Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Instructors may require students to provide documentation with the class absence form or other written notification for events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
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For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Values.
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.