Master of Arts in Leadership

Curriculum

LDR 501 Leadership in Theory and Practice (8 weeks)

Leadership in Theory and Practice introduces students to the study of leadership and management and differentiates between the two disciplines. The course examines seminal and contemporary theories with a focus on the need for and application of both in an organizational setting. Research skills for graduate school are also introduced and explored with students beginning to formulate research ideas which can be developed throughout this graduate program. 3 credits

LDR 502 Leadership & the New Science: Research Design & Methods to Understand Leadership

This course provides a wide-view background of the relationship between scientific thinking, decision making, research processes and design, leadership and organizational life. Students will explore the implications of the differing methods of leadership research practices and theories of change on our ideas and practices of leadership in organizations. Students will also review the fundamentals of the scientific research process and will focus on the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods as an appropriate response to understanding how and why organizations and leadership within them function as they do. 3 credits

LDR 504 Cultural Anthropology & Leadership: Organizations as Culture

In this course, students will analyze organizations using the conceptual and analytical tools of anthropology. Topics include the characteristics of culture, social organization, and the interplay between socio-cultural factors and leadership styles. Students will learn the distinctive methods that leaders and consultants borrow from cultural anthropology to deepen their understanding of their organizations. The seminar will focus on the interplay of leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness. Participants will begin to learn the skills of ethnography, culminating in a mini-ethnographic study of an organization and a report of their findings. 3 credits

LDR 506 Moral Leadership: Defining the Character of Individuals in Organizations

In this course we will explore two important and related topics: leadership and ethics in organizations. Questions that will be explored include: What is leadership? How does it differ from management? Does it have an impact on organizational mission and performance? Where leaders in organizations, and what are their roles? What roles do leaders play in shaping the culture and in shaping what is considered right and wrong within the organization? Can ethical reasoning be taught, and if so, how can one learn the needed skills? How can one learn to make right vs. right decisions and explain their decisions to others? Since all organizational decisions are ultimately made and implemented by individuals, we will focus primarily on practical aspects of leadership and ethical decision making as they impact the individual, rather than looking at more broad issues such as the social responsibility of businesses or organizations. 3 credits

LDR 508 Servant Leadership

This course is designed as a study of the theory and practice of Servant Leadership. It is also an exploration of how students can apply Servant Leadership in their own lives. Students will explore the gulf between those who lead in order to serve others, and those who lead in order to serve self. This exploration will be undertaken from a variety of angles. Students will trace the origins of the Servant Leader concept and will explore modern-day examples of Servant Leadership in action through the writings of top management thinkers. Students will tie it all together by constructing practical applications of the Servant Leader theory to be used at work, school, and/or in their personal lives. 3 credits

LDR 510 Human Resource Management in a Changing Environment

This course is a study of techniques and skills necessary to manage and effectively guide human resources in a rapidly changing environment. Emphasis is on how human resource functions serve as tools for leadership and strategy implementation in organizations. Students will explore the actions a leader might take to craft a culture where retention and engagement of employees becomes a core competitive strategy and will understand the humanistic and ethical issues facing management and employees in the changing workforce. 3 credits

LDR 512 Leadership & Diversity

This course will enable students to understand the importance of valuing and managing the diversity of people. Students will be asked to challenge themselves and their ideas as they work through different workplace issues related to diversity and leadership, looking at issues from the viewpoint of a leader. Critical thinking will be essential when it comes to examining ideas, feelings, and plans related to diversity and leadership issues. Patience and tolerance of ideas and each other will be key. 3 credits

LDR 514 Resolving Conflict through Dialogue

The meaning of conflict resolution adopted in this course is focused on peaceful, non-violent mechanisms, spanning formal and informal interactions and bargaining between disputants to reach procedural and substantive solutions. Levels of conflicts and resolution settings are often differentiated by identifying the adversaries, whether they are nation states, ethnic groups, business or political organizations, community groups, neighbors, or individuals. Students will examine these perspectives in order to understand various layers where conflicts arise, and to make comparisons across issues and participants noting similarities and contrasts in resolution manner, effort, and achievement. 3 credits

LDR 550 Special Topics in Leadership

In this course students will be exposed to a current issue in Leadership. Faculty and students will explore the predetermined topic and discuss its relevance to Leadership in practice 3 credits

LDR 600 Team Building and Leadership

In this 3-credit course participants will study team leadership and teambuilding through a series of exercises, a behavioral assessment, group discussions, and readings. Key learning components encompass: enhancing the quality of participation in a team environment, modeling effective leadership, leading groups, how to communicate more effectively, creative thinking and purposeful behavior directed towards achieving team goals. Teams will be established and will create a Team Covenant that will assist them through their academic career and one where the application will transfer into their professional lives. Each learner will create a personal leadership development program to guide them in their professional careers. 3 credits

LDR 602 Leadership, Imagination and Communication

In this seminar students will explore the role of leaders in imagining futures for themselves as well as their organizations. Students will study the importance of asking "why not" as leaders, and investigate the many methods of stimulating creative thought. Seminar members will explore their own creativity, discuss the creativity of successful leaders and organizations, and learn to apply theory to practice in their own personal and professional lives. 3 credits

LDR 604 Capstone Course: Strategic Leadership in a Changing Society

In this culminating course, seminar members put the finishing touches on their capstone "leadership change project"-working extensively with each-other's plans and learning to provide positive feedback and work across teams. Teams work on synthesis and final integration of their field research, complete their capstone project, and conduct analysis of peer team's projects. The seminar re-capitulates the major themes of the program and explores deeper realms of human purpose and our roles as leaders in shaping future human potential. 3 credits

MB 516 Organizational Behavior

This course examines the theoretical assumptions of organizational behavior and the issues and challenges that arise when managing and leading. Students will investigate the interrelationships between the individual, the group, and the organization. The course will emphasize managerial practices needed in a variety of settings and the application of these methods to realistic situations. Students will be required to demonstrate effective communication skills throughout the course. 3 credits