RECOMMENDED OUTSIDE ELECTIVES

FOR HR MAJORS

(Compiled by the UW Oshkosh Student Chapter of SHRM)

ANTHRO  123 - American Ethnography (ES)

This course is geared primarily for students at the freshmen and sophomore levels. The course is designed in five modules, comprising an introduction to the core concepts of anthropology and ethnic studies, ethnographies of three American ethnic groups - the Menominee, African Americans, and undocumented Mexican migrant workers - and a summary section in which we compare and contrast the experiences of the three groups. Personal experiences of ethnicity will be a major theme in the course; to this end, a number of films and guest speakers representing the ethnic groups studied will be vital components of the class.

ANTHRO  232 - Cultural Anthropology (NW)

Focusing on the concept of 'culture', the course discusses the aims, methods, and achievements of anthropological research and presents a general model for comprehending human society.

ANTHRO  340 - Culture and Personality

A review of cultural personality literature with special attention given to personality development within contemporary American subculture units. Prerequisite: Anthropology 102.

COMM  214 - Interpersonal Speech Communication

Examination of the components of interpersonal speech communication. Lectures, discussions, observations, and controlled experiences will enable the student to learn and apply relevant concepts and variables of human interaction in dyadic, face-to-face communication situations. Prerequisite: Communication 118, 236 or consent of instructor.

 

COMM  215 - Small Group Communication

Theory, practice, and instructional methods of face-to-face communication in small groups; emphasizing field, role, conflict resolution, and problem-solving through group communication. Prerequisite: Communication 111 or consent of instructor.

 

COM 220 - Interviewing

Examination of factors that influence successful attainment of interview objectives, which maximize information quality, and which enhance participant satisfaction. Theory and strategies appropriate to information-gathering, information-giving, personnel selection, performance appraisal, discipline, complaint and persuasive interviews will be discussed. Students will analyze professional interviews, participate in class exercises and role-playing to develop their interviewing skills. Prerequisite: Communication 118 and 236 or consent of instructor.

 

COMM 267 - Effective Listening

Analysis of the act of listening: process, types, barriers to, and the improvement of listening skills. Frequent skill building exercises and the testing of listening for comprehension and retention. Prerequisite: Communication 111 or consent of instructor.

 

COMM  268 - Gender, Communication and Relationships

Focuses on the relationship between gender and communication within the context of interpersonal relationships. Topics covered include hetero/homoaffective relationships, friendships, and professional relationships. Prerequisite: Communication students are recommended to have taken Communication 111 or consent of instructor. Cross-listed: Communication 268/Women's Studies 268. Students may receive credit for only one of the two cross-listed courses.

COMM  304 - Business and Professional Speaking

An examination of the unique communication problems and practices in business and industry. Through investigation, case study and practical exercises students should understand and be able to participate effectively in a variety of communication experiences faced by managers in business and the professions. Prerequisite: Communication 118 and 236 or consent of instructor.

 

COMM  319 - Persuasion

Study of both classical and contemporary persuasion theories and practices. Assignments involve practical application of the theoretical foundation by analyzing different persuasive messages found in the media and public speeches. Prerequisite: Communication 118 and 236 or consent of instructor. 

 

COMM 325

An examination of nonverbal communication, the process of one person stimulating meaning in the mind of another person (or persons) by means of nonverbal codes. Both the functions and specific categories of nonverbal behavior will be examined along with their communicative impact in a variety of situations. Theoretical and practical aspects of nonverbal communication are also explored. Prerequisite: Communication 118 and 236 or consent of instructor.

 

COMM 326

An exploration of research and praxis regarding human conflict as a process of social interaction. Communication theories and contracts for interpersonal conflicts, mediation and social justice advocacy are examined. A service learning project is required. Prerequisite: Communication 118 and 236 or consent of instructor. 

 

COMM 443 - Organizational Communication

The course deals with the basic content of organizational communication: theory of communication, small groups, interpersonal communication, conflict, and other communication variables. Attempts to draw the link between the theoretical perspective and the pragmatic application of the topic. Prerequisite: Communication 118 and 236 or consent of instructor.

 

ECON  307 - Discrimination, Gender, and the Economy (ES)

Analysis of the experiences of women and ethnic minorities in the economy, extending the traditional interpretations of economic issues to the unique experiences of these groups. Economic tools will be developed, and then applied to such topics as Comparable Worth, Wage Determination, Occupational Choice and Segregation, Poverty, and the Criminal Justice System. Prerequisite: Economics 106, 206 or 208. Cross-listed: Economics 307/Women's Studies 307. Students may receive credit for only one of the two cross-listed courses.

 

ECON  321 - Labor Economics

Analysis of the economy's labor resource. Major topics include labor markets, workforce programs, economic security arrangements, the labor movement, and collective bargaining. Prerequisite: Economics 206 or 208 and Economics 207 or 209. 321/521

 

ECON  368 - Health Care Economics

A study of the economic structure of the health care industry and health care problems in the United States. Emphasis on the delivery and pricing of health care as well as alternative public policies dealing with cost and distribution problems. Prerequisite: Economics 206 or 208. 368/568

 

ECON  430 - Human Resource Economics

The study of workforce as a basic economic resource; labor market analysis, labor mobility, causes of unemployment and proposed solutions, workforce development, wage and employment theories. Prerequisite: Economics 206 or 208 and Economics 207 or 209 with a grade of C or better. Strongly recommended:

 

POLI_SCI  105 - American Government and Politics (SS)

Organization, principles and actual working of the American National Government in all its branches.

 

POLI_SCI  304 - Race and Ethnicity in United States Politics (ES)

How issues of race and ethnicity have been defined and by whom, and their impact on communities of color; the strategies used by minority groups to become equal participants in the political system; how economic and social conditions might affect political opportunities for minority groups. This course will examine these topics in a historical perspective, with an eye to the interplay between national, state, and local political outcomes.

 

PSYCH  363 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology

The application of psychology to the problems of personnel management in industry, employee selection and placement, merit rating, accident reduction, training methods, and the measurement and improvement of employee morale. Prerequisite: Psychology 101, 104 or 110.

 

SOC  337 - Work, Industry, and Occupation

Social organization of work including history and variety of work experiences, relationship to other social institutions, impact of technology and megacorporations, discrimination, unemployment, future of work. 337/537 (Fall-even years)

 

SOC  361 - Complex Organizations

Theoretical and empirical analysis of the social structures and processes underlying the interrelationships among humans and formal complex organizations which proliferate in modern, industrial societies. Prerequisite: Sociology 101.(Fall-odd years)