Course Syllabus
HR 5013: Current Issues in Human Relations
Faculty Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Admittance to the OU Online Master of Human Relations program.
Course Materials
All the required reading materials will be posted in the weekly modules.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Weekly synchronous Live Session meetings | 20% |
| Discussions | Asynchronous weekly discussion topics | 20% |
| Position Paper | Written assignment | 30% |
| Team Project | Group presentation project | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage of Points | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Participation
Each week, we will meet for Live Sessions online. Attendance/participation in the Live Session is highly encouraged and will be graded. There are two ways in which you can earn points for the Live Session:
- Participate Live: This option should be your preferred choice. When possible, you should attend and participate in the Live Sessions in real-time. To get credit for your attendance, type in the date and time of the session you attended by clicking on the red "Start Assignment" button at the top the Live Session page. Your self-reported attendance log will be cross-checked against the attendance tracker in Zoom.
- Make-Up (Watch Recording-Submit Written Summary): In the event that your time zone, work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, you will need to review the recording of the Live Session and write a paragraph summarizing the Live Session from your perspective. Click on the "Start Assignment" button to type (or copy/paste) your paragraph into the text field. Don't worry if the system indicates your submission is late. You will have until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Central to submit your paragraph summary.
Note: Be sure to utilize option 1 or 2 for each of the Live Sessions to receive full points. Regardless of when the session occurred, you must post your response based on option 1 or 2.
Discussions
There is a discussion board activity to complete in most modules. The purpose of the weekly discussions is to bring multiple perspectives on each issue into an articulated piece. The discussions should be backed by research to receive full credit.
Elements included in the evaluation of discussion board participation will include:
- application
- quality
- engagement
All participants are required to welcome open expression of opinion, attitudes, and beliefs and to accept the legitimacy and value of dissent. In addition, respect for the ideas of your classmates, the instructor, and common courtesy is expected.
You are expected to post your original reply before replying to another student. The original post should be at least 300 words with research from reputable resources to support your ideas and claims.
You need to reply to a minimum of 2 classmates' postings. The reply should be more than "I agree" or "good job." You need to make a substantial contribution to the discussion and reference your classmate's points. You must use at least 100 words in each reply. You can use an open-ended question to engage others with your thoughts. The discussion board opens on Mondays at 12:00 a.m. Central each week and will close on Sundays at 11:59 p.m. Central.
Position Paper
For this paper, you will be expected to select a current issue in the world to research. You may select any of the topics we have covered in class or choose another one of personal interest that applies to the assignment.
Your paper should include:
- An overview of the topic and how society understands this topic.
- An explanation of the various dimensions of the problem (e.g., the ways that race, class, gender, sexuality, culture, etc. interact when considering this problem).
- Research to support your perspective. The paper should not be based only on personal experience but on research.
- Facilitate how to understand a multi-dimensional issue with the support of research.
Please note: Personal experience is significant, but does not equal knowledge.
To facilitate your paper's structure and argument, consider the points below:
- Why is this issue important?
- Describe the ignored elements of the issue and its critiques.
- What will happen if this issue is not addressed?
Note: All papers will be submitted in Canvas and reviewed for plagiarism.
Team Project
For this project, you will be paired with your classmate(s) to analyze a structural inequity of your choice and design a proposal outline and presentation that would advocate for the marginalized groups impacted by the systemic injustice.
Your proposal should address:
- underlying issues
- policy and programming inequities
- conflict resolution strategies
- advocacy to support change for diversity, equity, and social justice.
Your proposal should include:
- A brief overview of the topic and the marginalized group it impacts.
- An explanation of the various dimensions of the problem (e.g., the ways that race, class, gender, sexuality, culture, etc. interact when considering this problem).
- Research to support your perspective.
To facilitate your proposal's structure, consider the points below:
- What are the structural changes that are necessary to promote diversity, equity, and social justice?
- What unconscious biases are present in support of and against the marginalized group?
- What conflict transformative process would be used to initiate understanding and structural change?
- How do policy and programming need to change to advocate for the marginalized population?
- How do you evaluate to ensure change occurs?
Note: All projects will be submitted in Canvas as a group and checked for plagiarism.
Course Policies
Communication
Email is always the best way to reach me. My email is jeris@ou.edu
You should receive a response within 24 hours (including weekends and holidays). If 48 hours or more have passed without a response, a follow-up email may be sent. Any urgent questions or concerns that require more immediate attention should be flagged as such in the subject line (simply write "urgent"). Emails will not be sent to personal email addresses. It is essential that you check the Announcements regularly and read your OU email.
Late Policy
Assignments are due on the dates indicated. Technology problems will not be accepted as a reason for late submissions. Having reliable, alternate sources of technology is highly recommended to ensure the timely submission of assignments.
However, if extenuating circumstances develop, I will consider them on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me by email.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Access the University Academic Policies Document.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|