Principles of Leadership
3 credit hour course
The Course number and title are under review and will be available in Mid-November. We will send out the CRN as soon as we know it! Right now... keep one of these times available in your schedule!
Spring 2008 Offerings
Monday/Wednesday: 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. CRN #16398
Tuesday/Thursday: 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. CRN #16476
Course Description:
The purpose of this interdisciplinary course is to introduce students to the "nature and concept" of leadership. Students will gain a broad understanding of the history and origins of leadership, theoretical approaches to leadership, and the skills necessary to serve in leadership roles. As students master the fundamentals of the concepts, they will be encouraged to test their ability to apply these concepts to their own life experiences.
The teaching foundation for this course defines leadership as a process, not a position. Leadership involves collaborative relationships that lead to collective action grounded in the shared values of people who work together to effect positive change. Students will be challenged to think critically about leadership through class discussion, group projects, reflective papers, and more.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
- Define Leadership and assess own ability to be a leader
- Explain the need to study leadership
- Compare and contrast historical and modern views of leadership
- Identify ways leaders influence others.
- Explain the personal, social and contextual factors that influence society and leadership
- Define and integrate opinions to discuss issues of diversity, social justice, community, and civic responsibility with leadership
- Identify practices of successful leadership
- Evaluate current leadership practices in existing organizations
- Apply leadership theory and successful leadership practices to an existing organization
Required Text:
Wren, J.T. (1995) The Leader’s Companion: Insights on Leadership Through the Ages. New York: The Free Press.
Course Topics:
Why do we need Leadership Studies?
- The Issues
- The Study
- The Goal
What is leadership?
- Definitions
- Theories
- Approaches
What is involved in the leadership process?
- Characteristics of the leader
- Characteristics of the follower
- Leader-follower interactions
What influences leadership?
- The times/history
- The culture
- The setting
How do leaders influence others?
- Understanding individuals
- Motivating individuals
- Developing groups
What skills are needed for effective leadership?
- Critical and creative thinking
- Visioning
- Leading change
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Conflict resolution
- Policy-making