The political and institutional environment of public human resource management is examined. Emphasis is given to the challenges facing the public sector in attracting and developing human assets in an environment of conflicting goals, stakeholder obligations, and a highly aware electorate. Specific topics include the evolution of the modern public service, the functions of human resource management, employment discrimination, labor management relations, professionalism and ethics.

Not required

1) Discuss the unique aspects of human resources strategic planning within the context of the public sector.
2) Apply the principles of employment law and ethics to the multiplicity of challenges that impact the creation human assets in public organizations.
3) Understand current human resource strategies with respect to recruitment, selection, development, evaluation, and compensation.
4) Diagnose labor-management relations issues with respect to union organizing efforts and contract dispute resolution.
5) Appreciate the options available to human resource managers in implementing high performance work systems in the public sector.
6) Show sensitivity to the challenges that confront public sector human resource managers working in the global environment.
7) Comprehend the human resource issues that impact public governance.

1. Required Materials


1. Textbooks

Human Resource Management in Public Service - 3.Edition - 2009
Evan Berman, James Bowman, Jonathan West, Montogmery Van Wart
Sage Publications
ISBN: 9781412967433


2. Articles

Electronic articles are located in the Alvin Sherman Library by accessing the Full Text Title Search.




Dychtwalk, D., & Baxter, D. (2007). Capitalizing on the new mature workforce. Public Personnel Management, 36(4), 325-334.

Guy, M. & Newman, M. (2004). Women's jobs, men's jobs: Sex segregation and emotional labor. Public Administration Review, 64(3), 289-299.

Miller, C., & Barrett, G. (2008). The coachability and fakability of personality-based selection tests used for police selection. Public Personnel Management, 37(3), 339-351.

Mothersell, W., Moore, M, Ford, J., & Farrell, J. (2008). Revitalizing human resources management in state government: Moving from transaction to transformational HR professionals in the state of Michigan. Public Personnel Management, 37(1), 77-97.

Pearson, C., & Porath, C. (2005). On the nature, consequences, and remedies of workplace incivility: No time for "nice"? Think again. The Academy of Management Executive, 19(1), 7-18.

Robinson, R., Franklin, G., & Epermanis, K., (2007). The Supreme Court rulings in Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger: The brave new world of affirmative action in the 21st century. Public Personnel Management, 36(1), 33-49.

Secret, M., & Swanberg, J. (2008). Work-family experiences and the insights of municipal government employees: A case study. Public Personnel Management, 37(2), 199-220,

Tomkins, J. (2002). Strategic human resources management in government: Unresolved issues. Public Personnel Management 31(1), 95-110.

Woska, W. (2007). Legal issues for HR professionals: Reference checking/background investigations. Public Personnel Management, 36(1), 79-89.


3. Cases

Cases will be distributed by professor.


Managing Conflict among a Hospital Staff
Mendoza EEOC Case
Picking Up the Pieces: Grievances in the Hiring Process Case


APA Manual
Effective October 1^st 2009, the 6th edition of the APA Manual is required for all courses.

NSU Bookstore
Textbooks and Case Studies may be purchased from the NSU Bookstore (located in the University Park Plaza) by calling 1-800-509-2665 or online at http://www.nsubooks.bkstore.com.

The NSU libraries comprise the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center, East Campus Branch Library, Health Professions Division Library, Law Library and Technology Center, North Miami Beach Branch Library, University School Library Media Centers, and the William S. Richardson Ocean Science Library. Students are strongly encouraged to visit one of the physical locations and/or take advantage of the vast electronic library available for research. For more information, please visit http://www.nova.edu/library.

Please note that all required and recommended materials should be referenced in APA style.