HR as a Strategic Partner

This course offers an introduction to HR as a professional field of study, discusses how HR fits into the workplace, presents theories and issues in the HR field, and defines the HR practitioner as a strategic partner and change agent. The course places HR functional management in the context of organizational strategy and policy while defining the core competencies of HR professionals including recruitment, retention, talent development, benefits design, and employee relations. Additionally, students will explore the various career trajectories for HR professionals, the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within organizations, and how HR operates across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Students are encouraged to consider their coursework through the lenses of AI, equity, and inclusion.