The major objective of this course will be to provide an overview of the functions and activities of personnel and human resource management. Topics include human resource planning, job analysis, staff (e.g. recruitment, selection), training and development, performance appraisal, compensation, health and safety, and employee and labour relations. A variety of contentious issues will also be addressed (e.g. job evaluation, psychological testing). For each topic "state-of-the-art" approaches or techniques will be presented and discussed within the context of a local government setting.