Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practices

Leadership 305.01W
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. ~John F. Kennedy

Effective Date: Spring, 2015

Instructor: Dr. Lila B. Walker, Ph.D.

Office: Suite 252, University Center
Phone: TBA
E-mail: lwalker@tamut.edu

Office Hours: TBD

I. Course Number: 305

II. Course Title: Leadership and Gender Issues

III. Semester Credit Hours: 3

IV. Course Description: This course is designed to provide a basic introduction to leadership by
focusing on what it means to be a good leader. Emphasis in the course is on the practice of
leadership. The course will examine topics such as: the nature of leadership; recognizing
leadership traits; developing leadership skills; creating a vision; setting the tone; listening to out-
group members; overcoming obstacles; addressing values in leadership. Students will assess
their leadership traits and skills to improve their own leadership performance.

V. Course Delivery Method: Web-based

VI. Required Textbooks/Resources:

Northouse, P. G. (2014). Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice (3rd ed.). SAGE

ISBN: 978-1-4522-5966-6

Required: Yes

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Kellerman, Barbara. (2010). Leadership: Essential Selections on Power, Authority, and Influence (1st ed.).
McGraw-Hill

ISBN: 978-0071070973

Required: Yes

VII. Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will assess potential leadership philosophy, traits, skills, and behaviors, and
develop a leadership portfolio.
2. Students will exercises an understanding of the fundamental ways leadership is practiced in
on-going organizations.
3. Students will evaluate fundamental leadership practices relevant to contemporary
organizations.
4. Students will enhance their writing skills by comparing and contrasting different leadership
approaches.

VIII. Course Outline:

Module 1 -
Chapter 1 – Being a Leader (Northouse)
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: Defining Leadership; Global Leadership Attributes; Practicing Leadership.
Case Study: King of the Hill
Leadership Portfilio: 1.1 Conceptualizing Questionnaire; 1.2 Observational Exercise; 1.3 Reflection and
Action Worksheet
Chapter 2 -Recognizing Your Traits (Northouse)
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: Historical Leaders; What Traits Do These Leaders Display? Leadership
Studies: What Traits Do Effective Leaders Exhibit?
Case Study: An Emerging Leader
Leadership Portfolio: 2.1 Leadership Traits Questionnaire; 2.2 Observational Exercise; Reflection and
Action Worksheet
Chapter 3-Recognizing Your Philosophy and Style of Leadership (Northouse)
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: What is Your View of Human Behavior at Work? Styles of Leadership:
Authoritarian, Democratic, and Laissez-Faire. What is Your Style of Leadership?
Case Study: Lighten Up, Mary?
Leadership Portfolio: 3.1 Leadership Styles Questionnaire; 3.2 Observation Exercise; 3.3 Reflection and
Action Worksheet.
Chapter 4-Attending to Task and Relationships (Northouse)
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: What is Your Personal Style? What Kind of Leader are you?
Case Study: From Two to One
Leadership Portfolio: 4.1 Task and Relationship Questionnaire; 4.2 Observational Exercise; 4.3
Reflection and Action Worksheet
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: About Leadership (Kellerman)
Discussion #1
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Review Quiz #1

Module 2
Chapter 5-Developing Leadership Skills (Northouse)
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: What are Your Core Leadership Skills?
Case Study: Why Twitter’s CEO Demoted Himself?
Leadership Portfolio: 5.1 Leadership Skills Questionnaire; 5.2 Observational Exercise; 5.3 Reflection and
Action Worksheet
Chapter 6-Creating a Vision (Northouse)
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: How is Vision Articulated? How is Vision Implemented?
Case Study: The Promise of the Pink Ribbon
Leadership Portfolio: 6.1 Leadership Vision Questionnaire; 6.2 Observational Exercise; 6.3 Reflection
and Action Worksheet

Chapter 7-Setting the Tone (Northouse)

Lecture, Readings, & Videos: Provide Structure; Clarify Norms; Build Cohesiveness; Promote Standards
of Excellence
Case Study: A Tale of Two Classes
Leadership Portfolio: 7.1 Setting the Tone Questionnaire; 7.2 Observational Exercise; 7.3 Reflection and
Action Worksheet
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: Literature as Leadership (Kellerman)
Discussion #2 and #3
Mid-term Exam

Module 3
Chapter 8-Listening to Out-Group Members (Northouse)
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: Who is in the Out-Group? Why Do Out-Groups Form? What is the Impact
of Out-Groups? How Should a Leader Respond to Out-Groups?
Case Study: NUMMI Commandos
Leadership Portfolio: 8.1 Responding to Members of the Out-Group Questionnaire; 8.2 Observational
Exercise; 8.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet

Chapter 9-Handling Conflict (Northouse)

Lecture, Readings, & Videos: Conflict Defined; Kinds of Conflict; Fisher and Ury Approach to Conflict;
Strategies for Conflict Resolutions; and Killman and Thomas Styles of Approaching Conflict
Case Study: Conflict with My Father
Leadership Portfolio: 9.1 Conflict Style Questionnaire; 9.2 Observational Exercise; 9.3 Reflection and
Action Worksheet

Chapter 10-Overcoming Obstacles (Northouse)

Lecture, Readings, & Videos: Obstacle#1-Unclear Goals; Obstacle#2-Unclear Direction; Obstacle#3-Low
Motivation; Obstacle#4-Complex Tasks; Obstacle#5-Simple Task; Obstacle#6 Low Involvement;
Obstacle#7 Lack of Challenge
Case Study: Hard Lessons
Leadership Portfolio: 10.1 Path-Goal Theory Questionnaire; 10.2 Observational Questionnaire; 10.3
Reflection and Action Worksheet

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Lecture, Readings, & Videos: Leadership is Action (Kellerman) (Continue in Module#4)
Discussion #4
Review Exam#3

Module 4
Chapter 11-Addressing Ethics in Leadership (Northouse)
Lecture, Readings, & Videos: Ethical Leadership is about the following: the Character of the Leader,
Action of the Leader, Goals of Leader, Honesty of the Leader, Power of the Leader, Value of Leader
Case Study: Scandal on a Conservative Campus
Leadership Portfolio: 11.1 Core Value Questionnaire; 11.2 Observational Exercise; 11.3 Reflection and
Action Worksheet
Discussion #5
Final Exam
Leadership Portfolio

Methods of Evaluation

Course Evaluation: Points

Student Contract/Introduction 10 points
Discussion Board Questions (five @ 5 points each) 25 points
Case Study (11 @ 6 points each) 66 points
Mid-Term Exam 100 points
Final Exam 100 points
Leadership Profile Portfolio 100 points
Total Points: 401

Review Exams- 20 extra points (four review exams at five points each)

A: 401-359 B: 360-319 C: 320-279 D: 278-239 F: 238 or below

IX. Grading Scale:

A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 0-59%

A: 401-359 B: 360-319 C: 320-279 D: 278-239 F: 238 or below

XI. Library/Media Resources Assessment: The student is required to use the University library for
additional research for assignments.

Student Participation:

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 a. Participation Policy: Online participation is required for this course. The student’s
interpretation of the reading material assigned and feedback to other students in small
group discussions are an important part of the learning process. Please contact the
instructor with any problems with online activities.

b. Course Etiquette: In this course students are to conduct professional, correct grammar,
and respectful dialogue. Passionate discussion is encouraged as done so respectfully.
E-mail the instructor as if you were turning in an assignment. Do not e-mail the
instructor as if you sending a text message to your friends or in all CAPS. Please review
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html from the book Netiquette, by
Virginia Shea.

XII: Assignments and Assessments

All assignments and exams will be submitted via Blackboard. E-mail assignments will not be accepted.
Assignment passed the due date will not accepted unless, the instructor is contacted 48 hours before
the assignment is due. Only university excused absences will be accepted for tardiness of assignments.
Grading rubrics will be provided in Blackboard for evaluation of all assignments. The instructor reserves
the right to change the assignment due date as needed. Only word documents saved in a RTF or PDF file
will be accepted. All due dates are posted in Blackboard under “Save the Due Dates” tab. The student
is encouraged to contact the instructor with any questions regarding assignments or about the course.

Five Discussion Board Questions (25pts.): There are five discussion questions valued at 5 points each.
The student will participate in an ongoing discussion using the Discussion Board tool in Blackboard. Since
our meeting time is online, discussion board questions and responses will be submitted. Posting and
responses are by the due date. No credit will be given for past due responses. Posting will receive full
credit for coherent, correct grammar, and good philosophical content. Assignment instructions and a
grading rubric will be created for this assignment in the “Assignment” tab of Blackboard.

Case Study (66 points):

Student will submit a Case Study from each chapter from the text, Introduction to Leadership: Concepts
and Practices. The case study is designed to help the student how to become a better leader and
contrast different leadership styles. After each case study, prolific questions are provided in the
textbook to help the student analyze the case study using ideas and practices presented in each chapter.
Each case study will be submitted in Blackboard. There will be a total of eleven case studies valued at 6
point each. 66 points

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Leadership Profile Portfolio (100 points):

The student will complete a leadership questionnaire throughout the semesters to assist them to assess
their potential leadership philosophy, traits, skills, and behaviors, and develop a leadership portfolio.
The student will assemble a Leadership Portfolio consisting of four parts in a word document:

(A cover sheet should be included before each section.)

1. Synthesize Results ONLY from each chapter questionnaire, observational exercise,

reflection/action and a synopsis of the student’s leadership profile results. This is
located at the end of each chapter of the Northouse text. Each student will
synthesis their results in a put into a one to three paragraphs of the results. (What
did the student learn about themselves from this process?) Students my divide
results chapters if they wish to do so.

2. Include Personal and Professional Mission Statement and goals to accomplish both
mission statements.

3. Picture page to articulate the type of leader the student aspires to become through
visual media.

4. Two page reflection paper from selected readings from the Kellerman text
(Leadership: Essential Selections on Power, Authority, and Influence).

Each student is encouraged to be creative with this project and it is recommended

to use in professional evaluations or professional interviews. Correct grammar, APA
style, and good writing mechanics will only be accepted. Please include a cover
sheet. Again, creativity is encouraged as this project is for the student’s benefit of
learning and reflecting about their leadership styles, traits, and abilities. The paper
should be a minimum of eight pages and saved as a PDF file and submitted via
Blackboard. 100 points

Assessments:

There will be a Mid-Term and a Final Exam. Exams will consist of 40-50 true-false and multiple-choice
questions concerning the reading assignments and the text. Exams will not be comprehensive, but cover
the assigned chapters. Exams will be available in the Blackboard program at designated times and will
have time limit. 100 points each

Review Exams:

Review Exams are to assist the student in preparing for the mid-term and final exam. The review exam
will post one week prior to the exam and is provided for extra credit only and not required to be
completed.

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XIII. Disability Accommodations: Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations
through the A&M-Texarkana Disability Services Office by calling 903-223-3062.

XIV. Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is expected of students enrolled in this course. Cheating
on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, plagiarism, and
undocumented use of materials from any source constitute academic dishonesty and may be
grounds for a grade of ‘F’ in the course and/or disciplinary actions. For additional information,
see the university catalog.

XV. A&M-Texarkana Email Address: Upon application to Texas A&M University-Texarkana an

individual will be assigned an A&M-Texarkana email account. This email account will be used to
deliver official university correspondence. Each individual is responsible for information sent
and received via the university email account and is expected to check the official A&M-
Texarkana email account on a frequent and consistent basis. Faculty and students are required
to utilize the university email account when communicating about coursework.

XVI. Drop Policy: To drop this course after the census date (see semester calendar), a student must
complete the Drop/Withdrawal Request Form, located on the University website
http://tamut.edu/Registrar/droppingwithdrawing-from-classes.html) or obtained in the
Registrar’s Office. The student must submit the signed and completed form to the instructor of
each course indicated on the form to be dropped for his/her signature. The signature is not an
“approval” to drop, but rather confirmation that the student has discussed the drop/withdrawal
with the faculty member. The form must be submitted to the Registrar’s office for processing in
person, email Registrar@tamut.edu, mail (7101 University Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503) or fax
(903-223-3140). Drop/withdraw forms missing any of the required information will not be
accepted by the Registrar’s Office for processing. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that
the form is completed properly before submission. If a student stops participating in class
(attending and submitting assignments) but does not complete and submit the drop/withdrawal
form, a final grade based on work completed as outlined in the syllabus will be assigned.

Include the following explanation for web-enhanced and online courses.

XVII. Class Participation: Students are responsible for beginning their participation on the FIRST
CLASS DAY by logging on and completing assignments according to the COURSE CALENDAR.
Failure to submit online assignments between the first day of classes and the University census
date (according to the University schedule) will result in an ADMINISTRATIVE DROP from the
course.

XVIII. Student Technical Assistance:

 Solutions to common problems and FAQ’s for your web-enhanced and web courses are found at
this link: http://www.tamut.edu/Training/Student%20Training/index.html
 If you cannot find your resolution there, you can send in a support request detailing your
specific problem here: http://www.tamut.edu/techde/support.htm
 Blackboard Helpdesk contacts (office hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:00a to 5:00p)
Julia Allen (main contact) 903-223-3154 julia.allen@tamut.edu

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 Nikki Thomson (alternate) 903-223-3083 nikki.thomson@tamut.edu
Jayson Ferguson (alternate) 903-223-3105 jayson.ferguson@tamut.edu

XVIII. Technical Requirements:

Minimum Windows PC Requirements:

 Pentium IV 1.5GHz+ (preferred: Core Duo)

 1 GB RAM minimum (preferred: 2 GB)
 128MB Video Card minimum - Sound Card is required for some courses
 56K modem minimum (Cable or DSL required for some courses)
 Windows 2000, XP, Vista or 7
 Web browser (Internet Explorer 7.0+; Firefox 3.0+)
 Microsoft Word, minimum Office 97
Some courses will need plug-ins such as Flash player 10 +, QuickTime player 7.0+, Adobe Reader
9.0+, Java Runtime Environment (Java 1.6.0_15), Windows Media Player 10+, RealPlayer, and
Macromedia/Adobe Shockwave.

Some online courses may also require a CD ROM (8x minimum, higher recommended)
Blackboard has certified the following browsers for computers running Windows Operating
Systems:

 Internet Explorer 8 or 9 (IE is not supported on Windows XP)

 Mozilla Firefox 3.6+
 Google Chrome
Minimum Apple Macintosh Requirements:

 Intel Core 2.0GHz+

 1 GB RAM (preferred: 2 GB)
 128MB Video Card minimum - Sound Card is required for some courses
 56K modem minimum (Cable or DSL required for some courses)
 Web browser (Firefox 3.0+ ; Safari 3.0+)
 Microsoft Word, minimum Office 97

Some courses will need plug-ins such as Flash player 10+, QuickTime player 7.0+, Adobe Reader
9.0+, Java Runtime Environment, RealPlayer, and Macromedia/Adobe Shockwave.

Some online courses may also require a CD ROM (8x minimum, higher recommended)
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 Blackboard has certified the following browsers for computers running Macintosh Operating
Systems:

 Mac OS 10.2 (Jaguar): (Safari 1 is compatible)

 Mac OS 10.3 (Panther): Safari 1.2 (Firefox 1.5 is compatible)
 Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger): Safari 2 and Firefox 1.5
 Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard): (Firefox 2.0 is compatible)
I-OS and Android Devices

These devices are currently supported using the Blackboard Mobile App, available for free from
your App Store or scan the code below:

To access Texas A&M University - Texarkana, there is an individual license fee of $1.99 per year
or $5.99 lifetime. This fee gives you access to the university from all your (same platform)
devices; it is not necessary to pay the fee for each device you own.