MGMT 4280 Current Topics in Human Resource Management
Course Information
- Course Number: MGMT 4280
- Course Title: Current Topics in Human Resource Management
- Section:
- Units: 3
- Term: Spring 2026 (1/20/2026 - 5/18/2026)
- Format: Online (Asynchronous)
- Enrollment: 53 students
- Prerequisites: MGMT 3000 and MGMT 3100
This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the class.
Instructor Information
- Instructor: Sunjin Pak, Assistant Professor of Management
- Office: BDC A137
- Office Hours: By appointment via Zoom
- Email: spak2@csub.edu
- Homepage: www.sunjinpak.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sunjinpak
Quick Links
- Attendance Sheet [Link]
- Email History [Link]
Table of Contents
- Course Description
- BSBA Program Learning Objectives
- Course Learning Objectives
- Required Text and Materials
- Instructional Strategies & Classroom Policies
- Course Assessment
- Course Schedule
- University Policies
1. Course Description
This course is about leading-edge topics in Human Resource Management. As the organization’s requirements change, so must the skill set of the HR professional supporting that organization. Topics will include California labor laws, change management methodologies, benchmarking HR processes, reengineering human resources policies and procedures, and consultant roles. This course will rely primarily on research, case studies, and current labor law digest to develop these skills.
2. BSBA Program Learning Objectives
In the current class, we will concentrate on PLOs 1, 3, and 4 among the program learning objectives (PLO) for the BS in Business Administration:
- PLO 1: Communication Skills
- PLO 3: Functional Knowledge
- PLO 4: Ethical Reasoning
3. Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand and discuss California specific employment and labor laws.
- Analyze and discuss leading HR hot topics and court decisions.
- Prepare for and facilitate group discussions.
- Research an HR hot topic and write a research report.
- Analyze and use critical thinking to evaluate application of Labor Code.
- Understand and utilize CA State resources (Labor Code, DFEH, DIR, DLSE, etc.)
Course Structure: The Employee Lifecycle Approach
This course is organized around the Employee Lifecycle, following the natural progression of an employee’s journey through an organization. This structure helps you understand employment law not as isolated topics, but as interconnected legal issues that arise at different stages of the employment relationship.
| Stage | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Hiring | Recruitment, selection, background checks |
| Classification | Employee vs. independent contractor |
| Employment Relationship | Employment at will, handbooks |
| Compensation | Wage & hour, overtime, meal/rest breaks |
| Working Conditions | Privacy rights, workplace safety |
| Workplace Issues | Discrimination, harassment, disability accommodation, leaves of absence |
| Separation | Investigations, termination, retaliation |
By comparing Federal Law and California Law at each stage, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how California’s employee-friendly regulations often exceed federal requirements.
4. Required Text and Materials
4.1 Textbook (Primary)
California Employment Law 2025
- Author: James J. McDonald, Jr., J.D., SHRM-SCP
- Publisher: SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
- Focus: California-specific employment and labor laws
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Z8fQwo
Chapters:
- California Employment Law: How Did This Become So Difficult?
- Employment at Will: What It Really Means
- Arbitration of Employment Disputes
- Employee Handbooks
- Employees or Independent Contractors?
- The Hiring Process
- Paying Employees Correctly
- Overtime
- Meals, Breaks, Pants, and Seats: Other Rights of Employees
- Employee Privacy Rights
- Protecting Trade Secrets
- Employment Discrimination
- Harassment
- Accommodating Employees with Disabilities
- Leaves of Absence
- Conducting Workplace Investigations
- Avoiding Retaliation Claims
- Rightful Terminations
- Unions and Labor Relations
- Workplace Safety and Health
4.2 Textbook (Supplementary)
Employment Law: New Challenges in the Business Environment (6th Edition)
- Author: John Jude Moran, J.D., MBA (Wagner College)
- Publisher: Pearson
- ISBN: 978-0-13-307522-9
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/49xmOjo
Part I: Employment Relationship and Procedure
- Employment Relationship
- Selection
- Testing
- Privacy, Theft, and Whistle-Blowing
- Termination
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
Part II: Employment Discrimination 7. Civil Rights Act 8. Affirmative Action 9. Racial Discrimination 10. Sex Discrimination 11. Sexual Harassment 12. Pregnancy Discrimination and Family and Medical Leave 13. Sexual Orientation 14. Religious Discrimination 15. National Origin Discrimination 16. Age Discrimination 17. Disability Discrimination
Part III: Employment Regulation 18. Unions and Collective Bargaining Agreements 19. Wage and Hour Regulation 20. Occupational Safety and Health 21. Workers’ Compensation 22. Employee Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1: Can I use the Kindle version of the textbook?
- A1:
4.2 MS Office 365
This course will require using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Business Analytics Excel add-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1: I have problems installing MS Office 365
- A1: Contact ITS at (661) 654-HELP
4.3 Google Sheets and Google Docs
Install “Google Sheets” and “Google Docs” on your phone.
5. Instructional Strategies & Classroom Policies
Office Hours, Appointments, and Email
My office hours are by appointment via Zoom. Please email me to schedule a meeting. Always begin your email subject line with “[MGMT 4280]“. I will respond within 24 hours if you follow this format.
Class Updates
I will use the current syllabus or email to post important notes and due dates. Please check your email daily.
Late Assignment Policy
Late assignment submissions will incur a 10% deduction per 24-hour period. Extensions may be granted at the instructor’s discretion for documented emergencies.
Technical Problems on Your End
You are responsible for keeping your computer up-to-date and fully functional. No extensions will be granted for computer or internet failures.
Subject-to-Change / Notification Process
I will work hard to stay on that schedule. However, life is unpredictable, so a contingency plan is sometimes necessary.
6. Course Assessment
Grading Criteria
| Assessment | Points | % |
|---|---|---|
| Syllabus Knowledge Quiz | ||
| Canvas Profile Photo and Biography | ||
| Chapter Review Quiz | ||
| Video and Related Quiz | ||
| Team Meeting Activity | ||
| Team Presentation | ||
| Midterm Exam I | ||
| Midterm Exam II | ||
| Final Exam I | ||
| Final Exam II | ||
| OCB Score | Bonus | |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Components
- Quiz:
- Video and Related Quiz:
- Team Meetings:
- Exams (Midterm, Final):
- Organization Citizenship Behavior (OCB) Score: Bonus points for constructive feedback
Grading Scale
| Grade | Range |
|---|---|
| A | 100% to 94.0% |
| A- | < 94.0% to 90.0% |
| B+ | < 90.0% to 87.0% |
| B | < 87.0% to 84.0% |
| B- | < 84.0% to 80.0% |
| C+ | < 80.0% to 77.0% |
| C | < 77.0% to 74.0% |
| C- | < 74.0% to 70.0% |
| D+ | < 70.0% to 67.0% |
| D | < 67.0% to 64.0% |
| D- | < 64.0% to 60.0% |
| F | < 60.0% to 0% |
7. Course Schedule
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan 19 (Mon) | HOLIDAY - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Campus Closed |
| Jan 20 (Tue) | First Day of Classes |
| Mar 30 - Apr 5 | Spring Semester Break (No Classes) |
| Mar 31 (Tue) | HOLIDAY - Cesar Chavez Day - Campus Closed |
| Apr 20 - Apr 24 | SOCI Week (Online and Paper SOCIs) |
| Apr 28 - Apr 30 | [임시] 보름이 피츠버그 학회 |
| May 11 (Mon) | Last Day of Classes |
| May 12 - May 18 | Examination Period |
| May 19 - May 20 | Evaluation Days |
| May 21 (Thu) | Grades Due |
Weekly Schedule (Mon - Sun)
| Class | Contents | |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 1/19 ~ 1/25 | --------------------------------------------- Read the Syllabus --------------------------------------------- Read the syllabus carefully. (Due: By the end of the week) : If you spot errors or have questions about the course materials, please email me. You can earn 1 OCB (Organizational Citizenship Behavior) bonus point for providing constructive feedback or thoughtful questions via email. → Syllabus Knowledge Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) --------------------------------------------- Updating Canvas Profile Photo and Biography --------------------------------------------- → Upload your photo and biography in Canvas [instructions] (Due: By the end of the week) --------------------------------------------- Preparing for the First Team Meeting --------------------------------------------- → Team meeting rubric knowledge quiz (Due: By 1/25 11:59 pm) Frequently Asked Questions Q1. How many team members are allowed for our team projects? A1. There will be two to seven students assigned to a team. → Review the attendance sheet to identify your team members and ascertain your role for the initial meeting. Your assigned team will be announced on the first day of the semester. (Due: By 1/25 11:59 pm) Frequently Asked Questions Q1. Where is the attendant sheet? A1. You can find the attendance sheet on the first page of the syllabus. → Read the Rubric for a team meeting and take the quiz [Rubric] (Due: By 1/25 11:59 pm) → Notetaker only: Contact your team members to propose a meeting time and create the Zoom link for the group. If you reach out but do not receive a reply from a team member, please inform your instructor about who has not responded. [Sample email instruction] (Due: By 1/25 11:59 pm) → If you do not receive an email from your assigned notetaker proposing a meeting time by 1/25 at 11:59 pm, you should step in as the notetaker. Send an email to your teammates proposing a meeting time and CC your instructor. By doing this, you will receive an OCB bonus point. --------------------------------------------- Team Meeting 1 [Presentation preparation] --------------------------------------------- → Notetakers only: Submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 2 1/26 ~ 2/1 | Hiring Process & Selection (CA: Ch 6 / Federal: Ch 2, 3) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 2 [Hiring Process & Selection] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 3 2/2 ~ 2/8 | Worker Classification (CA: Ch 5 / Federal: Ch 1) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 3 [Worker Classification] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 4 2/9 ~ 2/15 | Employment at Will (CA: Ch 2 / Federal: Ch 1, 5) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 4 [Employment at Will] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 5 2/16 ~ 2/22 | Wage & Hour (CA: Ch 7 / Federal: Ch 19) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 5 [Wage & Hour] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 6 2/23 ~ 3/1 | Overtime (CA: Ch 8 / Federal: Ch 19) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 6 [Overtime] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 7 3/2 ~ 3/8 | Meal & Rest Breaks (CA: Ch 9 / Federal: Ch 19) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 7 [Meal & Rest Breaks] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 8 3/9 ~ 3/15 | Midterm Exam I Team Meeting 8 [Midterm Review] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 9 3/16 ~ 3/22 | Privacy Rights (CA: Ch 10 / Federal: Ch 4) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 9 [Privacy Rights] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 10 3/23 ~ 3/29 | Employment Discrimination (CA: Ch 12 / Federal: Ch 7, 9, 10) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 10 [Employment Discrimination] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Spring Break 3/30 ~ 4/5 | No Classes | |
| Week 11 4/6 ~ 4/12 | Harassment (CA: Ch 13 / Federal: Ch 11) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 11 [Harassment] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 12 4/13 ~ 4/19 | Disability Accommodation (CA: Ch 14 / Federal: Ch 17) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 12 [Disability Accommodation] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 13 4/20 ~ 4/26 | Leaves of Absence (CA: Ch 15 / Federal: Ch 12) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) (SOCI Week 4/20-4/24) Team Meeting 13 [Leaves of Absence] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 14 4/27 ~ 5/3 | Investigations, Termination & Retaliation (CA: Ch 16, 17, 18 / Federal: Ch 5) → Watch Video: [Video Title] [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) → Chapter Review Quiz (Due: By the end of the week) Team Meeting 14 [Termination & Retaliation] → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 15 5/4 ~ 5/10 | Team Meeting 15 Topic → Notetakers only: submit team meeting agenda (Due: By the end of the week) → Peer review evaluation [Link] (Due: By the end of the week) After you complete the survey, you will receive a completion code. Send the completion code to your notetaker. | |
| Week 16 5/11 (Sun) | Last Day of Classes | |
| Examination Period 5/12 Mon ~ 5/18 Sun | Final Exam I (Chapter 1-16) - The exam will be available between 5/12, 12:01 AM and 5/18, 11:59 PM. - 50 questions (The questions will be distributed equally among the chapters.), 40 minutes. - Once you start your exam, you have 40 minutes to complete it. - The order of questions will be different for students. - Each question will be locked once you submit an answer. Final Exam II - The exam will be available between 5/12, 12:01 AM and 5/18, 11:59 PM. - 12 questions, 60 minutes. - Once you start your exam, you have 1 hour to complete it. - Review the following contents: Activity 5: [Activity Name] [Video, Instructions] | |
| 5/21 (Thu) | Final Grades Due by 11:59 pm : You can find your final grade in your [Student Center]. |
8. University Policies
Academic Integrity
(CSUB 표준 문구 삽입)
Catalog Statement
(CSUB 표준 문구 삽입)