Reinforcing Responsible Learning

Abstract

This chapter reviews the common business practice of providing an employee handbook to new employees, which should guide employee behavior. The expectations and responsibilities of employees are accepted and documented using an employee acknowledgement statement. These real-world practices are introduced to the college human resource management classroom through the course syllabus and a document called a “Course Start Contract” or “Acknowledgement of Syllabus and Course Requirements” developed by the authors. The Course Start Contract explains and reinforces the need for college students to accept responsibilities in the classroom in the same way that employees must accept responsibility and comply with organizational requirements in the workplace.