Course Description 
This course presents a study of the theory and practice of leadership, particularly as it applies to concepts that deal with social interaction and interpersonal behavior and how the manager influences others through leadership.  Examples of real and fictional leaders are discussed.  A strong emphasis is placed on ethical leadership.  Faith perspectives of ethical leadership are explored.

Course Design
This course is designed as a seminar, to follow the model of "learn, do, teach" and requires students to lead various class experiences and discussions regarding leadership situations, ethical dilemmas, and other difficult situations.  We will use a variety of experiences to enhance students' communication skills and leadership development, including self-assessments, case studies, role playing demonstrations, and group exercises.

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Course Objectives 
Upon the successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• understand leadership styles and traits
• distinguish among the types of power and influence a leader may have
• identify and apply leadership behaviors
• analyze decisions faced by leaders within ethical frameworks, and
• evaluate your own leadership development.

To be successful in this class, you are expected to:

• Attend and actively participate in class interactions
• Read weekly assignments
• Allow adequate time to prepare written materials, and
• Challenge yourself to extend case study analyses in thoughtful ways.

Course Prerequisites: MGT 363.

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Course Materials 
This course involves extensive reading from a wide variety of sources, some of which will be provided to you.

You are REQUIRED to obtain your own copy of our textbook.  Please note that it is a new edition, so do not buy a used copy of the first edition.

Northouse, P.G. 2011.  Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice, 2/e. ISBN 9781412989527.

You MUST also be responsible for selecting a biography or autobiography of a leader you would like to study, with the approval of the instructor.  This may be purchased, or borrowed from a lending library.

You MAY find it helpful to obtain a copy of the following supplements, which will be discussed in class and covered on the exams:

Maxwell, J.C. 2007. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, 10th Anniversary Edition.  ISBN 9780785288374.

Kidder, R. M. 1995. How Good People Make Tough Choices: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living.  ISBN 0684818388.

We will be using computer-based communications extensively in this course, relying on Blackboard for course communications, schedule, class materials, etc. You are expected to check the calendar and course communications at least weekly.  Plans and assignments are subject to change (but I try to give you plenty of notice!).

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Performance Evaluation

Grading
You may earn up to 100 points in this course, based on several indicators of your performance against each of the course objectives.  Each of the indicators is described in more detail below.  Your final grade will be based on the total number of points you have earned, as followed.

Grade	Total Points
A	90 - 100
B+	88 - 89.9
B	80 - 87.9
C+	78 - 79.9
C	70 - 77.9

Discussion Leadership (10 points)
You and a partner will lead a class discussion of an assigned reading.  Your grade will be based on whether  you completely and correctly covered the key points, as well as how well you engage the class and facilitate discussion.

Assessments (50 points)
Part I: There will be 10 quizzes, each worth 5 points each.  The quiz will cover 1-2 weeks of the assigned readings, the class discussions, lecture notes, and other instructional content.  Quizzes will be conducted during the first 10 minutes of the beginning of the assigned class period; students who are absent (unless pre-arranged with the instructor) may not make up the quiz.  Students who are late to class on quiz days will not receive extra time.

Part II: There will also be two exams.  The midterm will cover the content reflected in the first five quizzes and is worth 25 points.  Your course grade will contain either the midterm grade or the sum of the first five quizzes, whichever is higher.  In the same way, the final exam will cover the content covered by the second five quizzes, and the grade will be based on the higher score.

Leader Profile (20 points)
Using a biography or autobiography of your choice (subject to instructor approval), you will present an "biosketch" of the individual, and identify how s/he did or did not demonstrate leadership skills and behaviors.

Studies in Leadership (20 points)
We will study a variety of leaders to illustrate course concepts.  In four of these cases, you will do a short, written analysis. Each assignment is graded based on the clarity of your analysis and your explicit application of course concepts.

Preparation & Participation (demerit basis)
This class is conducted in a seminar format; as such, your participation is critical to the course conduct. You are expected to do the homework and readings assigned each week. However, It will not be sufficient to merely "show up."  For your attendance to "count," you must contribute to the class discussion in a meaningful way -- every day.

You are allowed two missed classes and/or assignment without penalty.  After two unexcused absences, you will lose one point for each additional unexcused absence. Being late is disruptive to the class, and will be counted as half an absence.

 

Course Outline and Tentative Schedule
Specific due dates and homework assignments will be posted in the Blackboard calendar.  In general, the class topics are as follows:

1. Introductions and Overview
2. Trust as a Foundational Ingredient
3. Leadership Styles & Traits
4. Leadership Skills
5. Leadership Challenges
6. Ethical Leadership
7. Leader Profiles.

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Class Policies

Honor Code
It is expected that you will adhere both to the letter and the spirit of the Honor System as it relates to procedures and assignments for this course.  You may discuss the homework assignments with your classmates; however your work should be original. All work on the exams is to be done individually and is not to be discussed with other students.  Plagiarism is the use of ideas, facts, phrases, or additional information such as charts or maps, from any sources, without giving proper credit to the original author. Using direct quotations, paraphrases, or reproductions of any material that is not the student’s own authorship is also considered plagiarism. Failure to reference any such material used is both ethically and legally improper.  Violations  will result in referral of the matter to the Honor Council.

University Policy for Electronic Communications
Students are generally responsible for checking their Mercer electronic mail accounts for course communications and official University announcements.  As we will be using the Blackboard online system, you are expected to stay current on those communications as well. 

University Policy for Electronic Submission of Course Work
Students bear sole responsibility for ensuring that papers or assignments submitted electronically to a professor are received in a timely manner and in the electronic format(s) specified by the professor. Students are therefore obliged to have their e-mail client issue a receipt verifying that the document has been received. Students are also strongly advised to retain a copy of the dated submission on a separate disk. Faculty members are encouraged, but not required, to acknowledge receipt of the assignment. 

University Policy for Use of Cell Phones and Pagers
Out of courtesy for all those participating in the learning experience, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering any classroom, lab, or formal academic or performance event. 

Disability Provisions
Students with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible.  If you are not registered with Disability Services, the instructor will refer you to the Student Support Services office for consultation regarding documentation of your disability and eligibility for accommodations under the ADA/504.  In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each instructor with a “Faculty Accommodation Form” from Disability Services.  Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Services Coordinator on the 3^rd floor of the Connell Student Center.  Students with a documented disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are strongly encouraged to register with Disability Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester, also.  For further information, please contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778 or visit the website at http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm.

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