CA350:
Prerequisites
Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Contact Information
Text(s) and Other Required Materials
JENTLESON, BRUCE W. 2018. The Peacemakers Leadership Lessons from the Twentieth- Century Statesmanship. W. W. Norton & Company
- Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice (7th edition)
This course explores the leadership styles, strategies, and decisions that shaped the 20th
century and continue to influence today’s world. Students will examine:
- major leadership theories
- leadership theory and apply it to real-life situations
- their own development of their personal leadership philosophy
Through discussion, research, and practical application, students will connect theory to real-world practice—developing the skills and perspectives needed to lead wherever they are.
Tentative Schedule
Subject to change during the semester. Adequate notice of changes will be given.
Tentative Course Schedule
Tuesday | Thursday | |
Week of 1/11 | Jan 13 Review Syllabus What is Leadership Introduction to Projects & Case Studies Reading- Ch. 1 Due Jan 15 | Jan 15 Power, Influence, Ethics Case Discussion from Ch. 1 |
Week of 1/18 | Jan 20 Trait Approach Emotional Intelligence Reading - Ch.2-3 due Jan 22 | Jan 22 Online lecture- no F2F class Skills Approach Skills Inventory Case Discussion from Ch. 2-3 |
Week of 1/25 | Jan 27 Behavioral Leadership Models Leadership Grid Reading - Ch. 4-5 due Jan 29 | Jan 29 Leadership Theory Application Papers- Leadership in Action Paper Due Class Discussion on assignment & ch. 4-5 |
Week of 2/1 | Feb 3 Situational Leadership Developmental Levels Reading- Ch. 6-7 due Feb 5th | Feb 5 Path-Goal Theory Leader Behaviors and Follower Needs Case discussion from Ch. 6-7 |
Week of 2/8 | Feb 10 Leader- Member Exchange (LMX) Reading- Ch. 8 due Feb 12th | Feb 12 Transformational vs. Transactional leadership Charisma and Vison Kouzes & Posner |
Week of 2/15 | Feb 17 Review Midterm Survey Reading- Ch. 9-10 Due Feb 19th | Feb 19 Leadership Theory Application Papers- Self As a Leader Paper Due Class Discussion on assignment |
Week of 2/22 | Feb 24 Authentic & Servant Leadership Reading- Ch. 11-12 due Feb 26th | Feb 26 Authentic & Service Leadership Con. Case Study Ch. 11-12 |
Week of 3/1 | March 3 In Service Day, No Classes Reading- Ch. 13 due Mar 5th | March 5 Adaptive & Psychodynamic Leadership Case Study Ch. 13 |
Week of 3/8 | Spring Break | Spring Break |
Week of 3/15 | March 17 Ethics & Leadership Frameworks Moral Courage Reading- Ch. 14 due Mar19th | March 19 Leadership Theory Application Papers- Leadership Ethics and Responsibility Paper Due Class Discussion on assignment |
Week of 3/22 | March 24 Ethical Dilemma In-class workshop Reading- Ch. 15 due March 26th | March 26 Team leadership Diagnosing a team problem Case Study ch. 15 |
Week of 3/29 | March 31 Team Leadership Con. Reading- Ch. 16 due Apr 2nd | April 2 Group Case Study Research Day Case Study ch. 16 |
Week of 4/5 | April 7 Group Case Study Research Day Reading- Case Analysis in The Peacemakers | April 9 Group Case Study Presentations Review Peacemakers |
Week of 4/12 | April 14th Last Day for Late Work April 14 Gender & Leadership Reading- Case Analysis in The Peacemakers | April 16 Bias, Stereotypes, and credibility Leadership Labyrinth Review Peacemakers |
Week of 4/19 | April 21 Global Leadership Challenges Focusing on Global Politics and analysis on Global Leaders Reading- Case Analysis in The Peacemakers | April 23 Global Leadership Challenges Focusing on Global Politics and analysis on Global Leaders Review Peacemakers |
Week of 4/26 | April 28 Culture dimensions - what do different societies leaders have in common? Reading- Case Analysis in The Peacemakers | April 30 Leadership Philosophy Presentation Workshop- how do you define your own framework? Review Peacemakers |
Week of 4/28 | April 30 In class workday on Presentation or Paper | May 2 Study Day |
Week of 5/3 | (5/7) Final Exams - Leadership Philosophy Presentations Leadership Philosophy Papers Due | Exam Date & Time TBD |
Class Participation ………………………………………………………………………………...................… 150 pts
Weekly Reading Reflections (10 @ 20 pts each) ………………………......................………….… 200 pts
Leadership Theory Application Papers (3 @ 100 pts each) ……………....……..................… 300 pts
Group Case Study Presentation ……………………………………………………………...................... 150 pts
Final Leadership Philosophy Assignment ……………………………………………....................…. 200 pts
TOTAL POINTS....................................................................................................................…. 1000 pts
Class Participation
Active participation in class discussion, engagement in case studies and group activities, completion of in-class leadership instruments and preparedness.
Weekly Reading Reflections
(300-500 words)
After completing the assigned chapters and to prepare you for the discussion on Thursday, use all four sections below to write a reflection that helps you understand the reading.
- Core Idea - what is the central idea of the approach(s) covered in the reading? What problem is the theory trying to solve? What does it claim effectively for leadership?
- How does it work - Identify 2-3 parts of the theory (traits, behaviors, steps, dynamics) and explain how they work within the theory. Explain why they matter.
- Application - What does this look like in real life? Apply it to a personal leadership situation or another case you research.
- Insight- Evaluate the approach- give one strength, one weakness, and one question that the reading raised in you.
Leadership Theory Application Papers
Use the same structure from your reading reflections to help you write your application papers below, blackboard assignments will have more refined prompts to help you with the assignment.
- Leadership In Action (January 29th)
- 3-4 Pages / Application of one leadership theory to a global leader assigned by Bekah. This can either be a paper or a presentation of that person in class.
- Self as a Leader (February 19th)
- 3-4 pages / Self-analysis using leadership instruments and theory
- Leadership Ethics and Responsibility (March 19th)
- 3-4 pages / Analysis of an ethical leadership dilemma from a different culture
Group Case Study Presentation (April 9th)
Groups of 2-3 will research a current organization or leader facing a clear leadership challenge. We will research these in class to make sure they are approved before the research is started. Presentations must be 15 minutes and explain the following:
- Who is the leader or organization? What is the context?
- What is the central leadership challenge they face
- Apply TWO leadership theories we have studied in class so far that best explain the situation. Explain how the organization or leader's behavior aligns or conflicts with your theory. Reference specific actions or decisions they have made to point you to that conclusion.
- Propose two-three concrete leadership actions they could apply in their leadership challenge
- Create a list of discussion questions for your class after they have been introduced to your case study
Final Leadership Philosophy Assignment (Due on Final Exam Day)
Option A: Written Leadership Framework-
- 5-6 pages, MLA format
Option B: Leadership Framework Presentation
- 10-15 minutes, requires slides or a framework model, must be done in class on final exam day
Regardless of the format you choose, your project must address all five areas below. Use the same concepts you have been practicing in your weekly reading reflections as you write your final paper or prepare for your final presentation.
- Your definition of leadership
- how do you define leadership now at the end of the course- look back at your first blackboard discussion and see how your definition has evolved.
- Discuss how your definition has changed
- Reference at least one leadership theory from Northouse in your definition discussion
- Key Leadership Approaches
- What are three leadership theories that shape your personal framework
- why do they resonate with you
- are there limitations or tensions between those theories
- Leadership in practice
- Apply your leadership framework to. Realistic leadership scenario such as team conflict, an ethical dilemma, organizational change, or leading diverse groups
- How does your framework guide your decisions and actions
- Explain how your leadership adapts across people and situations
- Identify 2-3 areas for growth for yourself as a leader. What are specific actions you can take to continue developing your leadership capacity?
The grading scale will be as follows:
Grading Policy
A-90-100%
B-80-89%
C-70-79%
D-60-69%
F-Below 60%
Instructor Course Policies
Attendance See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Attendance policy, especially as it pertains to excused absences.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct will not be tolerated in the classroom. Failure to follow the aforementioned classroom policies may result in additional academic penalties as determined by the instructor and/or by the Office of Academic Affairs. In this course, you may use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to help with brainstorming, generating ideas, or refining your work, but you must always cite and acknowledge your use of AI. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work is a violation of academic integrity and will result in a failing grade. Please document your use of AI tools by including screenshots of the prompts and outputs, and cite the AI tool as you would any other source. If you have any questions about the AI policy, please do not hesitate to ask.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Undergraduate: SP25 Final Exam Schedule Graduate:
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. |
Class Attendance Policy |
Accessibility and Disability Services
Accessibility and Disability Services
Wilmington College provides accommodations and services for student with a variety of disabilities, including chronic illnesses, psychological, physical, medical, learning, and sensory disability amongst others. If you anticipate or experience barriers based on disability and feel you may need a reasonable accommodation to fulfill the essential functions of this course, you are encouraged to contact:
Spencer Izor, Associate Vice President of Compliance - Title IX/ADA Coordinator at spencer.izor@wilmington.edu or 937-481-2365 or Nathan Flack, Academic Resource Manager at 937-481-2208 to learn more about the process and procedures for requesting accommodations, or by visiting College Hall Room 306a or the Robinson Communication Center, Room 103.
Religious Accommodations
Wilmington College strives for an inclusive climate and welcomes students from all backgrounds, faiths, and experiences. If religious observance impedes your ability to participate fully in classroom activities or a principal holiday from your religious tradition occurs during the semester and conflicts with class meetings or activities, please make the professor aware of this immediately to determine if a reasonable accommodation is possible.