Foundations of Leadership Theory and Competency

The objective of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand the multidisciplinary academic field of leadership. Through a systematic study, students will examine the major theories and empirical research used to lead and manage people, teams, and organizations. It aims to help students develop critical leadership skills through understanding, critical appreciation, and application of the theories, tools, and techniques of historical and contemporary management thought. Be it known that individual, team, organizational, community and societal success is largely determined by the ability of individuals to lead and follow in complex situations with integrity, authenticity, ethics, and a pragmatic sense of community, societal and global understanding. Given the search for this understanding is both elusive and complex, the instructor will primarily focus on a rich and multi-faceted understanding of leadership, emergent leadership theory and practice, and the formulation of one’s own personal stance on the theory and practice of leadership.