Leadership Core

This course explores historical and contemporary leadership theories. Students examine social, political and cultural contexts as contributing factors in developing leadership perspective. Particular emphasis is directed toward contemporary culture and its influence on evolving leadership views. Transformational and servant leadership perspectives are emphasized as appropriate approaches for leading contemporary organizations. Students examine underlying principles of leadership including values, beliefs about human nature, and philosophy. The focus is on personal mastery as students investigate the philosophical nature of leadership theory, explore various leadership perspectives, and construct their personal leadership plans.

This course is designed to provide students with directed experience in critical inquiry and research design and to prepare students for the type of research/scholarship that will be expected of them in their professional careers.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with intense training in the tools, and strategies needed to conduct reliable, valid, and relevant research.

This course explores the interrelationships among individuals and organizations. Classical and social systems theories are examined and connected to the responsibilities of leadership. Students explore the individual as a member of the group, the behavior of the group, and the organizations' performance affected by individual and group behavior. Systems theory forms the foundation for considering the synergistic nature of organizations, culture building, distributive leadership, shared decision making and teamwork.

Candidates investigate the nature of learning for both the individual and the organization. The reciprocal nature of individual and organizational interaction is examined through the concept of Transformational Learning. Candidates explore views of human development including the theories of Kegan, Gilligan, and Levinson as foundations for professional development. Adult Learning Theory and Systems Theory form the basis for viewing the importance of Learning Communities and Organizational Learning. Candidates reflect on their own learning community and develop plans for fostering learning communities in their own organizations.

This is an independent study course for doctoral students who are actively engaged in collecting data and writing their dissertations. Faculty members provide guidance to candidates during this process.