baylor university leadership course -...

Baylor University Leadership Course

Course Overview This course is designed to provide students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities. Students in this course will explore a variety of elements of leadership and leadership theories as they seek to understand and develop their own personal leadership philosophy, abilities and opportunities. Through observation, reflection, experiential learning and writing, students will develop their own leadership and the leadership of others. Further, this course will challenge students’ beliefs and assumptions of leadership as they come to define it. Course Objectives

1. Students will deepen their understanding of their own leadership skills, abilities and styles through observation of leaders and study of pertinent leadership theories.

2. Students will deepen their understanding of followership and a leadership model based on the person of Jesus Christ.

3. Students will deepen their understanding of the factors that influence individuals’ views and use of leadership including personality traits and strengths.

4. Students will develop a personal philosophy of leadership that is informed by good leadership theory and takes into account various influential factors.

Required Texts Class Pack. Compiled by Instructor and distributed in class.*

Mother Teresa: A Simple Path. Compiled by Lucinda Vardey. (1995). New York, NY: Ballatine Books. Philosophy of Leadership (10%) Students will write their own personal philosophy of leadership. The philosophy should consist of the student’s own opinions and observations—no research should be conducted to supplement this assignment. A good philosophy of leadership always includes a definition of leadership and its purposes as well as how leadership happens. Your philosophy should be 3-5 pages in length and use appropriate APA style and formatting. Leadership Reflections (15%) Each week students will receive a Leadership Reflection form that will be completed for the next class session. Your reflections should be thoughtful—do not wait until the hour before class to complete your reflections! It is recommended, though not required, that you maintain a leadership journal throughout the course in order to assist you in the thoughtful completion of your reflections.

Service Project (25%) Students will participate in a service project commitment for a minimum of three volunteer hours. You will be expected to engage in a service project that will challenge and stretch you. Please consider completing your service project before week 5 of our course. While you are not expected to report on your experience until week 5, you may complete the service prior to that time. A list of service options is provided though you may obtain instructor approval for a service project of your choosing if it does not appear on the list. Final Project (25%) Students will submit a Final Leadership Project and present their project to the class. The submitted content should be 7-10 pages in length and use proper APA style and formatting. Presentations should be thoughtful, use appropriate technologies (powerpoint, etc.) and be 5-7 minutes in length. Students may choose one of the following list of final project options or receive instructor approval for an option of their own making.

Option #1: Choose a leader from history, track their work and leadership and describe why he/she is a great leader. Some possible leaders to choose include Martin Luther King Jr., Mohandas K. Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Malcolm X, Abraham Lincoln, etc.

Option #2: Identify a need in the community or on campus. Using the leadership skills you have learned in this course, describe how you would lead and develop a program or initiative to address the need. Option #3: Choose a leadership theory and explore the ways in which it differs from other theories. What are its strengths and weaknesses? What does it have to offer leaders and followers that other theories do not? Option #4: Craft a paper on the concept of followership. Include your understanding and definition of followership as well as why it is necessary. Option #5: Create a perfect leader. Choose a leadership position in public office, business, on campus, or elsewhere and create the perfect leader for that position. Include character traits and attributes for your leader as well as his/her leadership style and a leadership theory that he/she is likely to use. Also include any opposition he/she may encounter and how he/she would likely address and overcome that opposition.

Participation and Attendance (25%) As a class of leaders, you will be expected to be present and to participate in class discussions with thoughtful and meaningful comments and questions. Absences will negatively impact your participation grade. Come to class prepared by having completed the reading assignments and reflections to improve the quality of your participation. Part of being a thoughtful participant in class means being able to listen to others’ comments and meaningfully consider their opinions.

*Experiential Learning Day: We will participate in experiential learning at the Eastland Lakes Ropes Course. Please wear appropriate clothing and be prepared to participate in a variety of physical activities. Service Project Resources Annual Service Events On Campus The following is a list of annual service events at Baylor University:

First Step; day of service for new students during Welcome Week.

Shoes For Orphan Souls; shoe drive every October in conjunction with Buckner Benevolences which sends shoes to orphans worldwide.

Steppin' Out Days of Service; two annual campus-wide days of service, November 6, 2004 and April 2, 2005.

Santa's Workshop; preschool aged children from Head Start daycares come to campus for a lunch and visit with Santa in early December.

Date Assignment(s) Due Reading Assignment Focus

Week 1 • None • None • Introductions • Syllabus overview • Your definition of

leadership Week 2 • Philosophy of

Leadership • Leadership

Reflection #1

• Mother Teresa: xi - xxxviii and Appendix I “Important Dates”

• Class Pack Reading I

• Leadership theories • Living lives of influence:

Mother Teresa vs. Bill Gates

Week 3 • Leadership Style Survey

• Leadership Reflection #2

• Mother Teresa: 1 – 38 (Prayer)

• Class Pack Reading II

• Leadership & Followership

• Experiential Learning Day*

Week 4 • Leadership Reflection #3

• Mother Teresa: 39 – 108 (Faith & Love)

• Psalm 23 • Class Pack Reading III

• Biblical and servant leadership

• Martin Luther King, Jr. vs. Adolph Hitler


• Service Project Report

• Mother Teresa: 109 – 166 (Service)

• Class Pack Reading IV

• Service Project Reports • Personality types and

influences • Eleanor Roosevelt


• Final Project

• Mother Teresa: 167 – 185 (Peace)

• Class Pack Reading V

• Presentations of Final Projects

Buckner Bear Drive; teddy bears are collected for children who are removed from their homes for reasons of abuse or neglect each March.

Build-A-Basket Drive; outreach to needy families in the Waco area in early April. Email [email protected] for more information about Annual Service Events.

Service Agency Information: The following is a list of contact information for just a few of the Waco-area agencies at which you can volunteer: Boys & Girls Club Hope Velasco 254-752-6443 Caritas of Waco Nancy Anderson 254-753-4593 Central Texas Senior Ministries Elizabeth Zorn 254-752-0316 Community Haven Alvin Patterson 254-867-8334 Friends for Life Nina Larivee 254-772-7600

Fuzzy Friends Robyn Crizan 254-754-9444 Kids & Company Stacy Garvin 254-753-0197 Mission Waco Jeremy Everett 254-753-4900 Quality Care Carol Burton 254-752-0311 World Hunger Farm Dale Barron 254-799-5611

* Class Pack will include the following articles and reading selections:

• Excerpts from A Testament of Hope: the Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1986) edited by James M. Washington (including Letter from Birmingham City Jail, A Testament of Hope, Playboy interview: Martin Luther King, Jr.)

• Excerpts from Shepherd Leadership (2003) by Blaine McCormick & David Davenport

• Excerpts from Courageous Leadership (2002) by Bill Hybels (p. 181-197) • Excerpts from Transforming Leadership (1991) by Leighton Ford (p. 99-117) • Excerpts from Transforming Leadership (2003) by James MacGregor Burns (p.

170-185) • Excerpts from Rethinking Student Affairs Practice (2004) by Patrick G. Love &

Sandra M. Estanek (p. 29-65)

Leadership Reflection #1 The following exercises are designed to help you better understand your expectations and assumptions of leadership. List ten (10) adjectives you commonly use when referring to good leadership:

1. _________________ 2. _________________ 3. _________________ 4. _________________ 5. _________________

6. _________________ 7. _________________ 8. _________________ 9. _________________ 10. _________________

Name five (5) leaders that you think deserve to be called “great” leaders:

1. ___________________________________________ 2. ___________________________________________ 3. ___________________________________________ 4. ___________________________________________ 5. ___________________________________________

Choose one of the leaders you named above and explain why you think he/she is a great leader.

Leader: ________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Take some time to read why you think the leader you selected is a great leader. Do you make any assumptions about this leader? _______________________________ If so, what are they? ______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What expectations do you have of him/her as a leader? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What might make you reconsider or question this person’s greatness as a leader? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Are there any “rules” that all leaders must follow? ______________________________ If so, what are they? ______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In twenty-five (25) words or less, create a definition of leadership. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You have now completed Leadership Reflection #1. Now take some time to write your own personal philosophy of leadership.

Leadership Reflection #2

Directions This questionnaire contains statements about leadership style beliefs. Circle the number next to

each statement that represents how strongly you feel about it using the following scoring system:

5 – Almost Always True 4 – Frequently True 3 – Occasionally True 2 – Seldom True 1 – Almost Never True

Be honest in your responses. There are no right or wrong answers. This tool is intended to help

you understand more fully the kind of leader you are right now. Item

Almost Always

True

Frequently

True

Occasionally

True

Seldom

True

Almost Never True

1

I always retain the final decision-making authority within my team or group.

5

4

3

2

1

2

I always try to include one or more people in determining what to do and how to do it. However, I maintain the final decision-making authority.

5

4

3

2

1

3

When in a group or on a team I ensure that the group always vote when a major decision must be made.

5

4

3

2

1

4

I do not consider others’ suggestions because there simply isn’t time.

5

4

3

2

1

5

I ask people in my group or on my team for ideas and input on projects or tasks.

5

4

3

2

1

6

In order to proceed with a major decision, each member of my group or team must approve. If not everyone can approve, then a majority must be reached.

5

4

3

2

1

7

I tell the people in my group or on my team what has to be done and how to do it.

5

4

3

2

1

8

When things go wrong I bring everyone together to listen to others’ suggestions and advice.

5

4

3

2

1

9

I primarily communicate with members of my group or team via e-mail or over the phone.

5

4

3

2

1

10

When someone on my team or in my group makes a mistake I remember it for a long period of time.

5

4

3

2

1

11

I want to create environments in which team or group members take ownership of the project. We all participate in the decision-making process.

5

4

3

2

1

12

I allow others to determine what needs to be done and how to do it.

5

4

3

2

1

13

New members to the group or team shouldn’t make decisions without consulting with me first.

5

4

3

2

1

14

I ask people in my group or on my team for their vision for the project and use that whenever I can.

5

4

3

2

1

15

The people in my group know better their gifts and talents so I let them take charge where they feel most comfortable.

5

4

3

2

1

16

When something goes wrong I tell the people in my group or on my team that it is no one’s fault. Then I work to create a new process.

5

4

3

2

1

17

I allow others to set priorities for the group.

5

4

3

2

1

18 I delegate tasks. 5 4 3 2 1 19

I closely observe members of my group or on my team to ensure they are approaching tasks correctly.

5

4

3

2

1

20

When there are differences in role expectations, I work with people to resolve the differences.

5

4

3

2

1

21

Each person in my group or on my team is responsible for defining their role or job in the group.

5

4

3

2

1

22

I like the power that leadership over a group gives me.

5

4

3

2

1

23

I like to use the power of leadership to empower others and help them grow.

5

4

3

2

1

24

I like to share the power of leadership with others.

5

4

3

2

1

25

People in groups or on teams must be directed (sometimes forcefully) in order to achieve objectives.

5

4

3

2

1

26

People in groups will exercise self-direction if they are committed to the group’s objectives.

5

4

3

2

1

27

People have the right to determine their own organizational objectives within a group or team.

5

4

3

2

1

28

People primarily seek security and acceptance within a group or team.

5

4

3

2

1

29

People know how to use creativity and ingenuity to solve task-related problems.

5

4

3

2

1

30

People can lead themselves just as well as I can.

5

4

3

2

1

Scoring In the blanks below, mark the score of each numbered item on the questionnaire. For example, if you scored item number one with a 3 (Occasionally True), then enter a 3 next to item one. When you have entered all the scores for each question, total each of the three columns.

Item #

Score Item #

Score Item #

Score

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

10 11 12

13 14 15

16 17 18

19 20 21

22 23 24

25 26 27

28 29 30

Total Total Total

Authoritarian or Autocratic

Style

Participative or

Democratic Style

Delegative or

Laissez-Faire Style

Interpreting Your Score The lowest score possible for any one style is 10 (Almost Never), the highest possible score is 50 (Almost Always). The highest of the three scores indicates your leadership style preference. If your highest score is 40 or more, it is a strong indicator of your normal leadership style. If your lowest score is 20 or less, it is a strong indicator that you normally do not operate out of that particular style. If there is little difference between your three scores, it may indicate that you are a new leader and still in the process of developing your leadership style.

Authoritarian or Autocratic Leadership Style Characteristics

• Tells others what to do • Limits discussion on ideas and new ways of doing things • Group does not experience feeling of teamwork

When Effective • Time is limited • Individuals/group lack skills or

knowledge • Group does not know each

other When Ineffective

• Developing a strong sense of team is the goal

• Members demonstrate some degree of skill/knowledge

• Group wants a degree of spontaneity in their work

Participative or Democratic Leadership Style

Characteristics • Involves others in planning and carrying out activities and tasks • Asks before tells • Promotes sense of teamwork

When Effective • Time is available • Group is motivated and/or a

sense of team exists • Members demonstrate some

degree of skill/knowledge When Ineffective

• Group is unmotivated • Members demonstrate no

degree of skill/knowledge • High degree of conflict is

present

Delegative or Laissez-Faire Leadership Style

Characteristics • Gives little or no direction to group/individuals • Opinion is offered only when requested • A person does not seem to be in charge

When Effective • Members demonstrate some

degree of skill/knowledge • A sense of teamwork exists • Routine is familiar to

participants When Ineffective

• Low sense of team/interdependence

• Members demonstrate low degree of skill/knowledge

• Group expects to be told what to do

*Adapted from www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/survstyl.html and the Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors Were you surprised by your leadership style? __________________________________ If so, why? If not, why not? _______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Is this class meeting your expectations so far? __________ If not, how can the instructor better meet your needs? ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You have now completed Leadership Reflection #2.

Leadership Reflection #3 What was challenging about working with a group of leaders? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How did you tend to contribute to the success of your groups on the rope course? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Did you (check all those that apply):

Listen well Adapt to changing situations Get frustrated Lead Follow Persuade others Submit to the will of the group Fight the will of the group Question authority Have your authority questioned

Have fun Laugh Push your own boundaries Push the boundaries of others Talk too much Talk too little Feel free to offer your opinion or ideas Feel “run over” by those in “power”

In what ways were you able to observe others’ leadership styles at work while participating in the ropes course and activities? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In what ways were you able to observe your leadership style at work while participating in the ropes course and activities? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Were you able to identify in others any of your leadership style, qualities and/or attributes? ______________________________________________________________

If so, what were able to observe in those other people with your leadership style, qualities or attributes that you appreciated? ___________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Again, if you were able to observe others with your leadership style, qualities or attributes, what did you observe that bothered you? ______________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How did your leadership style, qualities and/or attributes become a hindrance at the ropes course? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What were you able to observe at the ropes course in terms of followership? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Some people believe that leaders can only lead insofar as people are willing to follow. When, if ever, did you agree to follow someone else’s leadership while at the ropes course? ________________________________________________________________ Why did you decide to follow rather than lead at that moment? ____________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Were you as comfortable following as you were leading? _________________________ If so, why? If not, why not? ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You have now completed Leadership Reflection #3

Leadership Reflection #4 Leaders must have a clear understanding of themselves in order to be effective and potentially be great. At the core of leadership are our values. The values a leader holds will define to a great degree how, who and to what end he/she leads. This exercise is designed to help you understand more deeply what you value and how you prioritize. Using the following list of values and prompts, fill in the blanks. If you have a value that is not listed, you may use it—but you only get three (3) “freebie” values! This is very important to me (place, in no particular order, your 8 most important values in the blanks below)

1. __________________________ 2. __________________________ 3. __________________________ 4. __________________________

5. __________________________ 6. __________________________ 7. __________________________ 8. __________________________

This is important to me (place, in no particular order, your 15 moderately important values in the blanks below)

1. __________________________ 2. __________________________ 3. __________________________ 4. __________________________ 5. __________________________ 6. __________________________ 7. __________________________ 8. __________________________

9. __________________________ 10. __________________________ 11. __________________________ 12. __________________________ 13. __________________________ 14. __________________________ 15. __________________________

This is not as important to me (place, in no particular order, your 28 least important values in the blanks below)

1. __________________________ 2. __________________________ 3. __________________________ 4. __________________________ 5. __________________________ 6. __________________________ 7. __________________________ 8. __________________________ 9. __________________________ 10. __________________________ 11. __________________________ 12. __________________________ 13. __________________________ 14. __________________________

15. __________________________ 16. __________________________ 17. __________________________ 18. __________________________ 19. __________________________ 20. __________________________ 21. __________________________ 22. __________________________ 23. __________________________ 24. __________________________ 25. __________________________ 26. __________________________ 27. __________________________ 28. __________________________

Accuracy Achievement Advancement Adventure Aesthetics Artistic Expression Authenticity Balance Challenge Competency Competition Conformity Contribution Control Cooperation Creativity Efficiency Fairness

Family Financial Security Flexibility Friendship Generosity Happiness Humor Independence Influence Integrity Learning Leisure Location Love Loyalty Nature Organization Peace

Perseverance Personal Development Physical Fitness & Health Power Prestige Recognition Religious Beliefs Responsibility Security Self-Respect Service Stability Tolerance Tradition Variety

Now that you have selected your top eight values, rank them according to importance.

My TOP value is: _______________________________________ My second most important value is: _________________________ My third most important value is: ___________________________ My fourth most important value is: __________________________ My fifth most important value is: ___________________________ My sixth most important value is: ___________________________ My seventh most important value is: _________________________ My eighth most important value is: __________________________

*This exercise is taken from LifeKeys, by David Stark, Jane Kise, and Sandra Krebs Hirsch

Do you think others, those who follow your leadership, could identify your top values based on their observations of your leadership? _________________________________ Do you think your leadership style accurately reflects your top values? ______________ If yes, then how? If not, why not? ___________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you think it is important that those who follow your leadership understand your values? _____________ Why or why not? ____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How do your values affect your involvement and leadership? ______________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How do your values affect who or what you serve? ______________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Choose a leader from the bible. What values do you think they would place in their top eight?

1. ____________________ 2. ____________________ 3. ____________________ 4. ____________________

5. ____________________ 6. ____________________ 7. ____________________ 8. ____________________

Do you share any values with that leader? _____________________________________ If so, which ones? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Describe how the leader’s values may have influenced his/her ability and desire to lead. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Describe how your values may influence your ability and desire to lead. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You have now completed Leadership Reflection #4.

Leadership Reflection #5 What are your top five (5) strengths?

1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. _______________________ 4. _______________________ 5. _______________________

How do your strengths compliment your ability and/or desire to lead? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How might your strengths hinder your ability and/or desire to lead? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What kind of people should you seek to surround yourself with in light of your strengths? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How does your faith affect your leadership? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You have now completed Leadership Reflection #5. Now go work on your Final Leadership Project!

Leadership Curriculum Rationale 1

RUNNING HEAD: LEADERSHIP CURRICULUM RATIONALE

Leadership Curriculum Rationale

Karin Klinger

Baylor University

EDA 5194-01

August 9, 2004


Course Overview

Developmentally, it’s likely that freshmen in this course will be seeking to build

their competences (Chickering, 1993) in leadership as well as seeking to better

understand themselves. Therefore, I have chosen to infuse students’ personal experiences

with the curriculum in order to provide them with as many meaningful learning (Driscoll,

2000) opportunities as possible. Through experiential learning activities and guided

reflections, students will be able to internalize the content of the course in ways that will

build them up personally as well as academically.

Based on the assumption that this six-week, three-credit course will be primarily

populated by students who already consider themselves leaders, I intend to use student

definitions and philosophies of leadership as a foundation for the course. Their

definitions and philosophies will be challenged and affirmed throughout the course by

activities, lectures, readings, etc. Further, I intend to help students discover their

leadership styles and identify the effectiveness and challenges presented by their styles.

Through crafted reflection exercises, I will present students with the opportunity to think

critically about leadership, their beliefs and assumptions of leadership and what it all

means to them as individuals. I will seek to constantly bring the content back to the

students for their personal engagement in an effort to ensure their internalization of the

information in order that they can experience meaningful learning.

The Objectives

“Students will deeper their understanding of their own leadership skills, abilities

and styles through observation of leaders and study of pertinent leadership theories.”

Students in this generation and developmental stage tend to want to know how the


content of a course is pertinent to them as individuals. Using Chickering’s

developmental vectors, leadership and leadership issues provides a unique opportunity to

touch multiple vectors with just one topic. Through this course, students can develop

competence, learn to manage their emotions, develop greater degrees of interdependence,

build mature interpersonal relationships, establish identity, purpose and integrity. The

nature of this course gives the instructor the unique opportunity to meet students where

they are developmentally and help them grow.

“Students will deepen their understanding of followership and a leadership model

based on the person of Jesus Christ.” This course will intentionally challenge the

students (who are likely to consider themselves leaders) to function as followers as well

as leaders. Further, the course will challenge the motivation for their desire for

leadership. Through biblical models of leadership, including those demonstrated by

Jesus Christ, and servant leadership students will be presented the opportunity to consider

deeply the kind of leader they will become.

“Students will deepen their understanding of the factors that influence

individuals’ views and use of leadership including personality traits and strengths.”

Students will learn how their unique personality traits may help or hinder them in their

pursuit of leadership opportunities. Further, they will learn what situational factors may

impact their ability to be effective and moral leaders.

“Students will develop a personal philosophy of leadership that is informed by

good leadership theory and takes into account various influential factors.” The final

objective of the course is that students develop a well-informed philosophy and definition

of leadership as a result of the discussions and content of the class. There is no


assignment that will require students to articulate this final objective, but it is my hope

that students will live out their various philosophies and model their informed opinions as

the lead in their communities.

The Texts

The Class Pack will include a variety of articles and excerpts from books.

Students will explore through the readings a variety of theories about leadership as well

as several significant leadership figures through history.

As an example of servant leadership, I have chosen to assign Mother Teresa: A

Simple Path. While it may seem counter-intuitive to require a text about the life of a nun,

I would suggest that Mother Teresa is among the greatest leaders of recent history. She

was able to use her passions and calling to mobilize the Church in meeting the desperate

needs of a community. While her leadership was not rewarded in a way that our culture

would deem worthwhile, she nonetheless provides an excellent counter-point to many of

the leaders typically studied: successful and wealthy business entrepreneurs, political

figures, etc. Further, Mother Teresa demonstrated a beautiful balance between her

personal life and her work by actively pursuing a simple life—a quality far too frequently

neglected by most leaders today.

The Assignments

Philosophy of Leadership: Students will submit a short personal philosophy of

leadership. The philosophy is their first assignment in the course and provides students

with the opportunity to think through their own experiences with and as leaders. The

assignment is intended to give students a first chance to critically think about the topic of

leadership before they are provided with information that will more deeply inform their


opinions, beliefs and assumptions of leadership. I specifically instruct students to avoid

research that will inform their opinions prior to writing the paper. My hope is that after

writing their own philosophy of leadership students will discover that their own opinions,

assumptions and beliefs are mirrored by much of the research and formal leadership

theories that we will study.

Leadership Reflections: Each week students will be expected to complete a

guided reflection exercise about some element of leadership or class activity. The

purpose of the reflections is to help students continue thinking about and internalizing

their learning experiences. I further intend to use portions of their reflections to fuel class

discussions. In addition, since a reflection is due each week, I can ensure that students

will be somewhat prepared to participate in open discussions throughout the course.

Service Project: Students will be required to participate in a service project of

some kind. I have provided them with a list of opportunities in the community and on

campus. The purpose of the service project is not only to invite students into active

service to their communities but also to provide them with another opportunity to observe

leadership in a different venue. Non-profit leadership often functions differently from

for-profit or public leadership.

Final Project: The culminating project for students in this course provides them

with the opportunity to choose from a variety of options: a historical report on a leader of

influence, addressing a community need, report on a leadership theory, report on

followership, create a perfect leader, or create their own project. The variety of project

options will allow students to choose something that truly intrigues them. The final

project should provide students with the opportunity to engage in the concept of


leadership in a way that is developmentally appropriate and sensitive to their individual

learning styles and needs.


References

Chickering, A. and Reisser, L. (1993). Education and Identity. San Francisco:

Jossey-Bass.

Driscoll, M.P. (2000). Psychology of Learning for Instruction. Boston: Allyn

and Bacon.

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