Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

In this course the students will learn about contemporary approaches for leading themselves and other people sustainably, ethically and effectively in an international educational context. The course provides the students with an understanding of some leadership theories, practical tools and methods to succeed as a leader in a constantly changing, challenging environment with diverse and demanding stakeholders.
After completing the course, the student will
• recognise and apply some of the current leadership theories and practices in their own working environment
• identify what drives and motivates them and other people, and how to lead diverse people in an inspiring way
• improve their understanding about stress management and self-leadership in times of uncertainty to be able to support others as well
• review some practical approaches to successful competence management
• be able to use coaching style when appropriate
• know how to create trust in multicultural teams

Content (course unit)

• Contemporary leadership theories and practices
• Motivation theories, identifying one’s own motives
• Stress management and leading yourself
• Brain-based leadership
• Competence management
• Leadership coaching skills
• Concept of trust
• Leading multicultural teams

Prerequisites (course unit)

None

Further information (course unit)

None

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The students define the main aspects of sustainable and effective leadership. They have some basic knowledge of their own motives and how those may influence their behaviour as a leader. They demonstrate that they can superficially apply the leadership theories and practices in their own working environment. The students are are able to apply some coaching skills but still need more practice to help others develop better. They evaluate their own and their colleagues’ learning, and give feedback. Commitment to continuously develop as a leader remains somewhat unclear.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The students explain the main aspects of sustainable and effective leadership. They have sound knowledge of their own motives and how those may influence their behaviour as a leader. They can critically evaluate and apply the leadership theories and practices in their own working environment. The students are able to apply coaching skills but still need more practice to help others develop better. They evaluate their own and their colleagues’ learning, and give feedback constructively. They clearly demonstrate commitment to continuously develop as a leader.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The students understand and analyse the main aspects of sustainable and effective leadership. They analyse their own actions and behaviors with the help of their individual life motives and are able to apply this information both in self-leadership and in the leadership of others. They can critically evaluate and apply the leadership theories and practices in their own working environment and create new approaches combining existing information. The students are able to apply coaching skills in a professional manner. They evaluate their own and their colleagues’ learning, and give feedback constructively in an engaging manner. They clearly demonstrate commitment to continuously develop as a leader with the help of critical and continuous self-evaluation.

Location and time

The course takes place from the 8th of January to the 9th of March, 2024.

Exam schedules

Open book group exam at the end of the course in small groups. Individual or group tasks that will be evaluated. More information in the beginning of the course.

Assessment methods and criteria

- Open book group exam 50 %
- Indivdual or small group assignments 50 %

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

This is mainly a distance learning course with individual reading, collaborative group tasks and applied exercises.

Learning materials

Kouzes and Posner (1997 or newer). The Leadership Challenge. Josses-Bass or Wyler.
Other recommended reading will be given during the course.

Content scheduling

The course objectives and contents are presented in Moodle.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The course is not passed if all the given assignments are not done and if the grade of any of the two parts is zero.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student can list some leadership theories and practices and is able to mention them in the written assignment and the group exam. The student analyses the leadership cases, including the motivation factors and competence management, but the analysis stays on a superficial level. Suggestions are given for improving the leadership situations but they remain quite shallow and simple. The student has done the mandatory tasks but the reflection in the written assignment about the course material and its application at his/her own working life shows only superficial understanding of the course topics. The student participates in collaborative learning and in the group exam but does not contribute very positively to the study team's exam outcome as evaluated by the other team members. The student does not manage to transform the learned leadership skills in his/her working context as can be seen in the course learning activities.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student can describe with concrete examples some leadership theories and practices and is able to apply them in the written assignment and the group exam. The student analyses the leadership cases, including the motivation factors and competence management, and the analysis is detailed and combines different elements. Logical and realistic suggestions are given for improving challenging leadership situations and they are described clearly. The student has completed the mandatory tasks and the reflection in the written assignment about the course material and its application at his/her own working life shows good understanding of the course topics. The student participates positively in collaborative learning, gives constant encouragement and feedback to the team colleagues and contributes positively to the team's exam outcome as evaluated by the other team members. The student manages to transform the learned leadership skills in his/her working context as can be seen in the written assignment and/or in other course tasks.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student can describe with concrete examples some leadership theories and practices and is able to apply them in the written assignment and the group exam. The student analyses the leadership cases, including the motivation factors and competence management, and the analysis is detailed and combines different elements. Logical, realistic and creative suggestions are given for improving the challenging leadership situations and they are described clearly. The student has completed on time all the mandatory lectures and the reflection in the written assignment about the course material and its application at his/her own working life shows shows deep understanding of the course topics. The student participates in the group exam and contributes positively to the team's exam outcome as evaluated by the other team members. The student participates positively in collaborative learning, gives constant and well formulated encouragement and feedback to the team colleagues and contributes very positively to the team's exam outcome as evaluated by the other team members.resulting in positive impact in his/her own work environment as can be seen in the video assignment and/or in other course tasks. The student takes responsibility as a transformative leader and offers critical, timely suggestions for improvement of leadership and the course as well by taking immediate actions to improve collaborative learning of him/herself and the others.