By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1.     Develop a deeper understanding of a specialized area within the field of human resources.

2.     Analyze the legislative and regulatory frameworks that shape employment practices and organizational compliance.

3.     Evaluate how HR policies and practices within a chosen concentration influence overall business strategy and performance.

4.     Bridge academic theory with real-world application by examining how HR knowledge translates into effective business practice.

5.     Assess the impact of HR initiatives on employee morale, engagement, and organizational dynamics.

Course Purpose and Strategic Focus

This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and analytical tools necessary to align human resource practices with broader organizational goals. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how HR strategies can drive profitability, enhance operational efficiency, and support sustainable competitive advantage.

Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to critically explore the following key questions:

·        What is the organization’s business strategy?

·        In what ways does this strategy influence the selection of HR alternatives?

·        How do HR programs and processes contribute to achieving the organization’s strategic objectives?

·        What external and internal factors affect the selection and implementation of HR practices?

·        How do organizational dynamics influence business outcomes, and how do HR strategies shape these dynamics? 

This course is built on a foundation of respect, structure, and academic rigor. As your instructor, I am committed to maintaining a professional learning environment where all students can thrive.

Expectations:

·        Students are expected to engage with course materials on time, come prepared, and contribute meaningfully to discussions and assignments.

·        Disruptive behavior, including inappropriate communication, lack of participation, or failure to meet deadlines, will not be tolerated and may result in grade penalties or removal from the course.

·        All communication (whether in discussion boards, messages, or assignments) must remain professional and respectful.

·        I reserve the right to modify the syllabus or course schedule as needed to support learning objectives. Any changes will be communicated promptly.

·        It is the student’s responsibility to stay informed, meet all expectations, and uphold the standards of this course.

This policy ensures a productive, respectful, and academically sound environment for all participants.

Although this course is delivered asynchronously, regular and timely engagement is mandatory. This is a discussion-based course, and your consistent participation is essential to both your success and the quality of the learning environment.

Requirements:

·        Students must log in and actively participate in all weekly modules, including discussion boards, assignments, and required activities.

·        Failure to engage in weekly modules without instructor-approved excuse will result in a reduction of your participation grade and may jeopardize your ability to pass the course.

·        Late or missing posts, lack of interaction with peers, or failure to meet weekly deadlines will be treated as non-attendance.

·        Excused absences (e.g., illness, emergency, university-approved activities) must be communicated to the instructor in advance with appropriate documentation.

·        Students are expected to maintain a respectful, professional presence in all online interactions.

This policy is designed to uphold academic standards and ensure a committed, collaborative learning experience for all students.

Late work is not accepted without prior approval. All assignments must be submitted on time, either in class or through the designated platform, by the posted deadline. If you anticipate a conflict, it is your responsibility to communicate with me before the due date. Unexcused late submissions will receive a zero.  Extensions may be granted only in cases of documented emergencies or university-approved circumstances and must be requested in writing. Repeated late submissions, even with communication, may result in grade penalties and loss of participation credit. This policy is designed to promote accountability, fairness, and respect for the learning process. Plan ahead, manage your time, and meet deadlines consistently.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.