CASE STUDIES OF PRACTICE: LEADERSHIP
Title of Practice/Project: Leadership Challenges and Practices
Published: March 2008
Reason for selection: The module is of interest in the way it helps students make the links between theory and practice. It features guest speakers including practising organisational leaders (both private and public sector), consultants and coaches, as well as informal leaders, such as community activists. Students learn not just through theories and academic literature, but by reflecting on observations and experiences of leadership in practice. Assessment includes making use of a learning journal and of the outcomes of interaction with guest speakers
GENERAL BACKGROUND
SchoolSoBE / Subject
LEADERSHIP / Module Title (if applicable)
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES AND PRACTICES
Level
2 / Duration
One Semester
Lead person / DR PATRICIA GAYA WICKS
ABOUT THE PRACTICE/PROJECT
Type of activity, eg. Single session, project, module / Module with lectures and workshops that include small group activities
11 x 2 hour lectures = 22 hours of lecture time
11 x 1 hour workshops = 11 hours of workshop time
Focus for activity,
eg. Active learning,
students as researchers,
key skills, other / An ‘active learning’ approach.
Students will develop skills in critical thinking; self-awareness and capacity for personal reflection; and confidence and assertiveness.
Description / This module aims to address the more practical, active and vocational aspects of leadership, and starts from the assumption that almost every organised activity is initiated by leadership of some sort, and that most benefit from good leadership. Over the course of this module, students will be encouraged to critically explore the following question: What can each of us do to get better at leading, and to support others in leadership positions for the good of the shared enterprise?
Alongside engaging with contemporary theoretical perspectives on leadership, students will be encouraged to learn from their own and others’ experience(s) of leadership in practice, and to engage in activities which enable them to develop their own leadership capacity.
11 x 2 hour lectures = 22 hours of lecture time
11 x 1 hour workshops = 11 hours of workshop time
NB: Workshops will focus on the practical application of the material covered in the lectures, and will feature guest speakers, multi-media presentations, assignment ‘tutorials’, and other activities designed to help students to make the links between theory and practice.
Approximately half of the workshops will involve guest speakers; the remainder will involve other practical activities, for which in-class small-group work may be required.
What was the rationale for introducing the practice? / In this way, the module aims to enhance students’ employability, and to allow them to develop critical perspectives on leadership, which can be taken into their future work and organisations.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment - Formative / Student participation in workshops and workshop activities.During the workshop in Week 3, students will be given a practice (non-assessed) short answer question to complete in own time, along with some guidelines and advice on how to respond, to be handed in at the end of the workshop in Week 4.
Assessment - Summative / The students’ participation in workshops (and interaction with guest speakers) will form the basis for the first assignment.
Worth 40% of final mark – 3 short answer questions based on workshop material (500 words max per question, total of 1200 words).
Worth 60% of final mark – 1 x 2500 word essay based on reflective journal kept over the module of the semester.
FEEDBACK
Feedback - Student comments / "Fantastic, fresh lecturing and great content. I will think about and refer to in years to come for certain."“The information provided on different leadership styles/perspectives was fascinating.”
"It enlightened me to the different areas of leadership and its complexities. It taught me that leading is not simply about having people follow you it is about interactions, processes and challenges. The seminars were very effective with guest speakers giving examples of their experiences and leadership in practice."
“it seems very useful for future life”
“It is one of the few modules where there is a constant connection to practical examples.”