PUBLIC Personnel Management
pol/PADM 60375
 Bennett 

Course Objectives

This course is designed to introduce the student to the major components of a public personnel system. The focus of the course is the application of this system to a small or medium sized local government. Completing this course will not equip the student to perform as a Director of Personnel, however, the student will be exposed to the major components of a personnel system, and will learn how the individual sub-systems coalesce to provide a harmonious work environment for both the public sector employer and employee.

Class Policy

You will be expected to complete the assigned readings in advance of  the class. Be prepared to discuss the assigned chapter in the text and also the assigned journal articles. Participation in the discussion will enhance the class for everyone. Class attendance is expected. An excessive number of absences will have a deleterious effect upon your final grade.  Each student will be expected to lead the discussion for at least one class meeting. The discussion will include the journal article selected by the student. Each student is required to prepare and disseminate to class members a brief outline of the journal article prior to the discussion. The student may select the method to be used for the presentation. The sign up for presentation dates will be conducted the first night of class.

Grade Determination

Grading:
  
565-500 = A
499-435 = B
434-370 = C
369-305 = D
Total points 565

The Journal Articles to be critically evaluated are indicated with an asterisk, both on the Chronology and in the list of journal articles. They are due as scheduled in the Chronology. 

Research Paper Assignment

The topic of the paper can deal with any facet of public personnel administration. Approval of topics is mandatory. Topics should be submitted/discussed with the instructor.  Research papers are to be typed, double spaced, correctly punctuated and grammatically correct. Minimum length is 15 pages - maximum length is 25 pages. Use citations and include a reference section. Citations should be incorporated into the text. References must be from books or scholarly journals.

Course Chronology

JOURNAL ARTICLES

 1.    Asmodt, Michael G., Devlon A. Bryan and Alan J. Whitcomb,1993. "Predicting Performance with Letters of  Recommendation." Public Personnel Management, vol.22, no.1 (Spring), 81-90.

*2.    Clifford, James P.,1994. "Job Analysis: Why Do It, and How Should It Be Done?" Public Personnel Management, vol.23,no.2  (Summer), 321-340.

 3.     Cozzetto, Don A. and Theodore B. Pedeliski, 1996. "Privacy and the Workplace." Review of Public Personnel Administration, vol.xvi,no.2 (Spring), 21-31.

4.     Czaja, Sara J., 1995. "Aging and Work Performance." Review of Public Personnel Administration, vol.xv,no.1 (Spring), 46-61.

 5.    deLeon, Linda, and Ann J. Ewen, 1997. "Multi-Source Performance Appraisals." Review of Public Personnel Administration, vol.xvii,no.1 (Winter), 22-36.

 6.    Daley, Dennis M., and Curtis L. Ellis,1994 "Drug Screening in the Public Sector: A Focus on Law Enforcement." Public Personnel Management, vol.23,no.1 (Spring), 1-18.

 7.    DiBattista, Ron A., 1996. "Forecasting Sabotage Events in the Workplace." Public Personnel Management, vol.25,no.1 (Spring), 41-52

 8.    Elliot, Robert H., 1995. "Human Resource Management's Role in the Future Aging of the Workforce." Review of Public Personnel Administration, vol.xv,no.2 (Spring), 5-17.

 9.    Fox, Siegrun F.,1993. "Professional Norms and Actual Practices In Local Personnel Administration." Review of Public Personnel Administration, vol.xiii,no.4 (Fall), 43-58.

10.    Greenlow, Paul S.,1992. and John P. Kohl. "The ADA: Public Personnel Management, Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship." Public Personnel Management, vol.21,no.4 (Winter), 411-427.

11.    Greenlow, Paul S., and Robert D. Lee Jr.,1993. "Three Decades of Experience with the Equal Pay Act." Review of Public Personnel Administration, vol.xiii,no.4 (Fall), 43-58.

12.    Halachmi, Arie,1993. "From Performance Appraisal to Performance Targeting." Public Personnel Management, vol.22,no.2 (Summer), 323-344.

13.    Hogan, Joyce, and Ann Quigley,1994. "Effects of Preparing for Physical Ability Tests." Public Personnel Management, vol.23,no.1 (Spring), 81-90.

14.    Holmquist, Donna,1993. "Ethics - How Important is it in Today's Office?" Public Personnel Management, vol.22,no.4 (Winter), 537-544.

15.    Hostetler, Dennis and Joan E. Pynes, 1995. "Domestic Partnership Benefits: Dispelling the Myths." Review of Public Personnel Administration, vol.xv,no.1 (Winter), 41-59.

*16.    Ingraham, Patricia W.,1993. "Of Pigs in Pokes and Policy Diffusion: Another Look At Pay-for-Performance." Public Administration Review, vol.53,no.4 (July/August), 348-356.

*17.    Klinger, Donald E. and Dahlia Bradshaw Lynn, 1997. "Beyond Civil Service: The Changing Face of Public Personnel Management." Public Personnel Management, vol.26,no.2 (Summer), 157-174.

18.    Kossek, Ellen Ernst, Beverly J. DeMarr, Kirsten Backman, and Mark Kollar,1993. "Assessing Employees' Emerging Elder Care Needs and Reactions to Dependent Care Benefits." Public Personnel Management, vol.22,no.4 (Winter), 617-638.

19.    Lee, Robert D. Jr. and Paul S. Greenlaw, 1995. "The Legal Evolution of Sexual Harassment." Public Administration Review, vol..55 (July/August), 357-364.

20.    Mello, Jeffrey A., 1995. "Employment Law and Workers with Disabilities: Implications for Public Sector Managers and Human Resource Practices." Public Personnel Management, vol 24,no.1 (Spring), 75-87.

21.    Moore, Mary V. and Yohannan T. Abraham,1992. "Comparable Worth is It A Moot Issue?" Public Personnel Management, vol.21,no.4 (Winter), 455-471.

22.    Moore, Mary Virginia and Yohannan T. Abraham,1994 "Comparable Worth Is It A Moot Issue? Part II: The Legal and Juridical Posture." Public Personnel Management, vol.23,no.2 (Summer), 263-286.

23.    Roberts, Gary E., 1995. "Municipal Government Performance Appraisal System Practices: Is the Whole Less Than the Sum of its Parts." Public Personnel Management, vol.24,no.2 (Summer), 197-221.

24.    Robinson, Robert K., Billie M. Allen, Geralyn McClure Franklin and David L. Dukon,1993. "Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Review of the Legal Rights and Responsibilities of All Parties." Public Personnel Management,vol.22,no.1 (Spring), 123-135.

25.    Rogers, Rolf E. and Stephen R. Herting,1993. "Patterns of Absenteeism Among Government Employees." Public Personnel Management, vol.22,no.2 (Summer), 215-235.

26.    Scott, Clyde, Edwin Arnold, and Charles Odewahn,1992. "Raid Elections: Another Problem for Unions? "Public Personnel Management, vol.21,no.4 (Winter), 555-564.

Format for Outline and Class Presentation of a Journal Article

1. Provide citation for article at the top of the page, followed by your name and the course number.
   
2. Describe the article (study, literature review, etc.) If the article is a study, describe the type of study - qualitative, quantitative - and the sample size and design. Describe the purpose of the article.
   
3. State the outcomes. If the article is a literature review, list the major points or a synopsis of the review.
   
4. Discuss the implications of the findings or outcomes. What relevance do they have for personnel administration or public administration?
   
5. List the limitations of the study or review. In your opinion what could have been done differently? Do you agree with the author's statements of limitations? How does the article relate to topics discussed in class or observed by you?
   

I.  Instructions for Critical Analysis of Research Articles

(A) To prepare a critical analysis of a research article you must develop and state what you think about the author's presentation and views of the subject matter. To begin, it is recommended that you do an initial quick, skim reading of the article, or most of it. Get a feel for it's overall subject, approach, themes, point of view, goals, and manner of presentation.

(B) A second reading should be more thorough and thoughtful. You should give careful attention to the items listed in (A) above. Also you should notice and evaluate the author's assumptions, strong/weak arguments, purposes, inconsistencies, implications, limits, and applications. Focus on how you agree/disagree with the author and why you have that opinion. Identify how the author's ideas relate to other relevant matters (e.g., other authors, history, contemporary problems, etc.). Begin to develop your point of view.

(C) Think about all of this as you read. Take notes on your ideas and note relevant passages of the text. Imagine yourself as having a conversation with the author. (Be polite but unintimidated.) Consider your task as a research paper on one article. At the end of your reading you should have a number of specific written ideas. Organize these ideas into categories which can then serve as an organization of your ideas (and your paper.)

II. The content of your paper is to be presented in three sections:

(A) Section I: Creative Description. Describe the research article as a whole, noting it's overall dimensions (see I (A) above). Do not give a simple "in order" summary or reproduction of the research article. Use your own words. Impose your own ordering of subjects. In this section describe and illustrate. Hold evaluations and arguments until later. This section of your paper should be at least two pages. (In other words what does the author say about the subject? Use your words not those of the author).

(B) Section II: Analysis. Begin this section (At least one page) with a statement (outline) of it's contents. Base this on your ideas about items mentioned above I (B). Identify what your arguments will be. Then develop those arguments - your themes, generalizations, ideas and fully explain them. Give reasons, evidence and illustrations to substantiate them. Quote and refer to the research article to make your points. This section of your paper should be at least two pages. (In other words what do you think about what the author said? Use all of your previous knowledge tomake this judgment).

(C) Section III: Overall Evaluation. Generally speaking was the research article worth reading and analyzing? Why? How? To Whom? For what purpose? You may wish to use detailed arguments and quotes, or you may be general. Be thoughtful and carefully reasoned. Focus on the value of the research article and not on your argument with the author, and remember this section is not to be a summary of your views or the author's views or of Sections I or II. This section of your paper should be at least two pages. (In other words can this research be applied to the personnel profession? In what way? Give some examples. Is this research smoke and mirrors? If so, say so).

Note #1: When you type your paper, identify each section with a Roman numeral. It is not necessary to begin each section on a new page.

Note #2: Paper should be typed, use 1" margins, double space, paginate, proofread, correct typing errors, staple in the upper left hand corner (use no folders, plastic covers etc.).

Note #3: Use a cover page with complete citation of the article (APA or APSA style), your name and date.

Students with Disabilities:

 In accordance with University policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) in the Michael Swartz Student Center (672-2972).

PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION
POL/PADM 60375