Week One
Challenges of Human Resources Management and Equal Employment Opportunity Legislation and Practices
• Explain how successful human resources management can help a company achieve a competitive advantage.
• Summarize the current trends in responding to human resources challenges.
• Compare and contrast human resources competencies and responsibilities with those of line management.
• Make recommendations for implementing affirmative action policies.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. Read objectives and welcome.
• Read instructor’s bio, and post your own bio.
• Due Date: Day 1 [post to the Chat Room forum]
2. Read Appendix A regarding the final project requirements.
3. Read Ch. 1 & 3 in Managing Human Resources.

4. CheckPoint: Deloitte & Touche Case Study
• Resource: Ch. 1 (pp. 44-45) in Managing Human Resources
• Due Date: Day 3 [Individual] forum
• Read Case Study 3 in Ch. 1 (pp. 44-45) in Managing Human Resources ("Managing Diversity for Competitive Advantage at Deloitte & Touche”).
• Answer, in 200-300 words, the three questions on p. 45. Elaborate on your responses to these questions by distinguishing between the role of human resources managers and line managers in implementing the changes described in this case study.

5. CheckPoint: Change Management
• Due Date: Day 4 [Individual] forum
• Submit a response recommendation analysis of 200-300 words of how large firms and small firms could utilize change management concepts to meet growing technology demands. Provide one example for a large company and one example for a small company of necessary changes resulting from these growing technology demands. Keep in mind that some changes are proactive while others are reactive. Be sure to include these two concepts in your recommendation analysis. Discuss some of the pitfalls to avoid in implementing change.

6. Assignment: Affirmative Action
• Due Date: Day 7 [Individual] forum
• Write a paper recommending to a company's board of directors that affirmative action policies be implemented. It should be 700-1050 words in length and formatted according to APA guidelines. Include points supporting the recommendation and clearly address points that may be used against this recommendation. The paper should also address how affirmative action policy will relate to compliance with equal employment opportunity law.
• Post as an attachment.