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MGT 450: Leadership Practices

Course Description

This course exposes students to leadership theories, how leadership theories pertain to the practice of leadership, as well as applying leadership theories into real-life situations. It provides students leadership history, evolution, as well as how the leadership term as been defined and re-defined over decades. A leadership skills inventory assessment questionnaire is used to develop insight into human relations and to gain a deeper insight into the students’ own leadership skill strengths and areas needing development. The course will cover multiple dimensions of the leadership topic including authentic leadership, servant leadership, followership, power, management theories, and leadership ethics. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Define leadership, identify the four qualities leadership approaches, and describe the similarities and differences between leading and managing.
  2. Summarize the course requirements and the Three Skill Approach Model. Determine the differences between the Trait, Skills, Behavioral, and Situational Approach to Leadership.
  3. Describe the differences between task behaviors and relationship behaviors.
  4. Summarize the history of leadership theory.
  5. Compare and contrast Eastern and Western philosophies of leadership.
  6. Describe how values, personality, self-concept, ability, and needs influence individual behavior.
  7. Explain the major components of Path-Goal Theory and Leader Member Exchange Theory.
  8. Apply the principles of the Four Frames in society & their evolution.
  9. Use the results of the Skills Inventory Assessment Questionnaire to complete a self-development.
  10. Students will reflect and analyze their leadership traits, strengths and areas for development.
  11. Compare and contrast the structural frame, human resource, political and  symbolic frame.
  12. Analyze differences between transformational and transactional leadership and how emotional intelligence impacts leadership.
  13. Define the power of reframing organizations.
  14. Define organizational symbols and culture.
  15. Apply the principles of reframing change in organizations.
  16. Apply the principles of the four interpretations of organizational processes.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussion (in the form of team & classroom posts)

15%

Individual Assignments

15%

Team Assignments (Weeks 2-6)

15%

Team Leader Role

10%

Skills Inventory Assessment & Development Plan

15%

Final Summary Paper

30%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Bolman, Lee G. (2021). Reframing Organization. 7th ed. Jossey-Bass. ISBN-13: 9781119756842
  • Northouse, Peter G. (2026). Leadership Theory and Practice. 10th ed. Sage Publications, L.A. London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington D.C., Boston. ISBN-13: 9781071957424

Optional Textbooks

Not Available through Bookstore

  • Hacker, D. (2018). A Writer’s Reference. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press. ISBN-13: 9781319122843

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1-4

Topic: Orientation

  • Reading and Review:
    • Chapters 1 & 2 in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Part One: Chapters 1 & 2 in Reframing Organizations
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Participate in any required group activities
  • Submit Week 1 Assignment: Three Leaders Case Study

2

5-9

Topic: Leadership History

  • Reading and Review
    • Chapters 3, 4 & 5 in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Part Two: Chapters 3, 4, & 5 in Reframing Organizations
    • Read Case Study 4.3 ‘Cheer Coach Monica Aldama’, Chapter 4 in Leadership Theory and Practice
    • Read ‘Team Leader Role Requirements’ document located in ‘Course Materials’ area.
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Read the assigned article and case study
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 2 Assignment: ‘4.3 Cheer Coach Monica Aldama’ Case Study
  • Submit Week 2 Assignment: Skills Inventory Questionnaire

3

9-11,14,16,17

Topics: Personality and Behavior

  • Reading and Review:
    • Chapters 6, 7 & 8 in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Part Three, Chapters 6, 7 & 8 in Reframing Organizations
    • Read Case Study 6.2, ‘Playing in The Orchestra’, Chapter 6, in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Read Case Study 8.2, 'An Exploration In Leadership', Chapter 8, in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Read 'Team Leader Role Requirements' document located in 'Course Materials' area
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Read the assigned article and case studies
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 3 Assignment: ‘Playing in the Orchestra’ Case Study
  • Submit Week 3 Assignment: Self-Evaluation (due Monday of Week 4)

4

1,6,9,10,14,15

Topics: Servant Leadership

  • Reading and Review:
    • Chapter 9, 10, & 11 in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Part Four Chapters 9,10, & 11 in Reframing Organizations
    • Case Study 10.2: ‘Walking, We Make A Path’, Chapter 10 in Leadership Theory and Practice
    • Case Study: “Anne Barreta” Chapter 8 in Reframing Organizations
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Read the assigned chapters and case studies
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 4 Assignment: ‘Walking We Make a Path’ Case Study
  • Submit Week 4 Assignment: Self-Evaluation (due Monday of Week 5)

5

3,10,12,13

Topics: Followership

  • Reading and Review:
    • Chapters 12 & 13 in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Part Five: Chapters 12,13 & 14 in Reframing Organizations
    • Read Case Study 13.1, ‘Bluebird Care’ Chapter 13 in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Read Case Study ‘How Safe Is Safe’ in Leadership Theory & Practice, Chapter 13, pages 356-357
    • Read 'Team Leader Role Requirements' document located in 'Course Materials' area
  • Read the assigned chapters, case studies, and document
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 5 Assignment: ‘Bluebird Care’ Case Study
  • Submit Week 5 Assignment: Self-Evaluation (due Monday of Week 6)

6

6,9,10,11,12,13

Topic: Leadership Ethics

  • Reading and Review:
    • Chapters 14, 15, & 16 in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Part Six: Chapters 15,16,17, & 18 in Reframing Organizations
    • Read Case Study 16.3, 'Ship Shape', Chapter 16 in Leadership Theory & Practice
    • Read 'Team Leader Role Requirements' document located in 'Course Materials' area
  • Read the assigned chapters, case studies, and document
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Work with your group to identify the team leader
  • Complete the Team Presentation based on Case Study 16.3, ‘Ship Shape’
  • Submit Week 6 Assignment: Skills Assessment Self Development Plan Draft
  • Submit Week 6 Assignment: Self-Evaluation (due Monday of Week 7)

7

12,13

Topic: Skills Assessment Self-Development Plan

  • Reading and Review:
    • Part Six: Chapters 19 and 20 in Reframing Organizations
    • Read Case Study 16.2, ‘Team Crisis Within The Gates’, Chapter 16 in Leadership Theory and Practice
    • Read and review the Final Summary Paper Requirements located in the Week 7 Course Content section
  • Read the assigned chapters, and case studies
  • Read and review the Final Summary Paper Requirements
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 7 Assignment: Skills Assessment
  • Week 7 Assignment: 'Reexamining a Proposal' Case Study

8

1-17

Topic: Final Summary Paper

  • Reading and Review:
    • Read Case Study 16.1, 'Choosing A Research Assistant', Chapter 16, in Leadership Theory & Practice
  • Read the assigned case study
  • Submit Week 8 Assignment: ‘Case Study 16.1 Choosing A Research Assistant’
  • Submit Week 8 Final Summary Paper
  • Complete the Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.