On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Compare and contrast a range of leadership theories and how they can be applied in practice in different settings and situations.
Analyse seminal academic literature on leadership and how different leadership dimensions impact organisational development.
Gain an awareness of personal and professional development and evidence expertise and thought leadership potential.
This module offers an introduction to the fundamentals of leadership, and how these relate to professional practice, from small businesses to global enterprises. Students will be introduced to a critical overview of traditional approaches to leadership such as trait, situational and process theories, which will be contrasted to new approaches which conceptualise leadership as separate from authority and management (such as connective leadership, shared and distributed leadership, or servant leadership). Students will also consider their own leadership journeys and leadership potential while engaging with seminal and contemporary writings on leadership and their application.
The module will be delivered via a series of weekly 3-hour teaching blocks, comprising whole-group interactive lecture and seminar covering fundamental theories and applications. Lectures and seminars will be supported by in-depth applied workshops.
Students will be provided case studies to interpret, explain and illustrate specific concepts related to transactional and transformational leadership, new approaches to leadership, organisational behaviour and talent management. They will also reflect on their leadership journey and potential by setting SMART goals for the future. There may be opportunities for guest lectures and team building exercises delivered by students and staff from other university departments, e.g. Psychology.
The module will make use of current newsworthy case studies and developing business trends, and so the nature of the topics and exercises will vary. Students will be provided with, and/or directed to, relevant reading and additional questions/ exercises to support their progress through the module material.
Lecture/Seminars
Contact hours: 30
Intended Group size: Cohort
Workshops
Contact hours: 10
Intended group size: Cohort or variable sized groups
Guided independent study
Hours: 160
Further details relating to assessment
Case Study Report:
Students will be expected to identify and write a case study on a leader which they view as aspirational, to identify and evaluate aspects of leadership thinking in practice and present this as a concise report. This should include relation of the leadership style and approach to theory.
Personal Development report:
Following from the study of an existing leader’s journey and the academic underpinning of leadership, students are asked to develop a plan for their Personal Development. This will allow for the application of the principles of the module to their own journey, and provide a good foundation for either entry into a leadership role, or continued study of leadership at Masters level.
Formative feedback:
Weekly lectures and workshops are taught in an interactive manner, providing semi-formal discussion and debates, peer critique and feedback, as well as quizzes and individual or group presentations, which offer ample opportunities for feedback and feed forward to students before their assignments.
001 Case study report; 2,500 words; mid semester 2 60%
002 Personal development report, 1,500 words; end of semester 2 40%
Module Coordinator - Leon Consearo
Level - 6
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 6S2