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Public Human Resource Management

(First Semester 2015)
Soo-Young Lee
Class Time: Mondays 4:00 - 6:50 PM
Office: Building 57-1, #315
Class Room: Building 57-1, #422
Email: soo3121@snu.ac.kr
Office: (02) 880-5575
Office Hours: Wednesday 2:00 - 3:30 PM or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Public Human Resource Management (PHRM) is the administration of and policymaking for
people and positions in the public sector and is critical to the successful implementation of
government programs. The objective of this course is to develop sufficient knowledge and
skills that will enable students to analyze a public human resource management system and
make recommendations for improvement. Topics may include: 1) Core Issues in PHRM civil service systems and reforms, labor relations, affirmative action and diversity, employee
assistance program, merit system, misclassification, and political neutrality; 2) Core
Functions in PHRM - planning, classification, recruitment, selection, compensation, benefits,
performance evaluation and assessment, training, development, discipline, termination, and
equal employment opportunity; and 3) Core Theories in PHRM - public service motivation
(PSM), expectancy theory, equity theory, Herzbergs two-factor theory and McGregors
theory X and Y, etc.
This course integrates lecture and a variety of active learning techniques into the
seminar format, such as case study and research article analyses, group discussions, debates,
student presentations, and video clips. Students should develop an appreciation for the
dynamic political environment and the statutory and Constitutional restrictions that
distinguish public personnel management from its counterpart in the private sector.
Completion of this course will provide a foundation that will allow students to deal
successfully with personnel concepts in other classes and ultimately in their careers.
REQUIRED TEXTS
J. E. Pynes. 2013. Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofit
Organizations: A Strategic Approach. Jossey-Bass. 4th eds.
SUGGESTED TEXTS
S. W. Hays, R. C. Kearney, & J. D. Coggburn. 2009. Public Human Resource
Management: Problems and Prospects (5th eds). Longman. available at GSPA library
(just for copying)
Riccucci, N. M. 2012. Public Personnel Management: Current Concerns, Future
Challenges. Longman.
GRADING

Attendance and Participation: 10%

Homework: 15%
Journal Article Review Presentation and Paper: 20%
Two Team Case Study Presentations and Reports: 25% (each 12.5%)
Term Project Paper and Presentation: 30%
COURSE SCHEDULE
Session 1 (3/2): Course Overview
Session 2 (3/9): Ch.1) Introduction to human resources management in the public and
nonprofit sectors
Session 3 (3/16): Ch.2) Strategic human resources management and planning
Session 4 (3/23): Ch.3) Federal equal employment opportunity laws and other employee
protections
Session 5 (3/30): Ch.4) Managing a diverse workforce
Session 6 (4/6): Ch.5) Job analysis
Session 7 (4/13): Ch.6) Recruitment and selection
Session 8 (4/20): Mid-term Exam (NO CLASS)
Session 9 (4/27): Ch.7) Compensation, Ch.8) Benefits
Session 10 (5/4): Ch.9) Training and career development
Session 11 (5/11): Ch.10) Performance management
Session 12 (5/18): Ch.11) Labor-management relations: Collective bargaining in the public
and nonprofit sectors
Session 13 (5/25): No Class Buddhas Birthday
Session 14 (6/1): Team Project Presentation
Session 15 (6/8): Final Exam (NO CLASS)