Leadership Theory & Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total 170 hours

Must be enrolled in the Exceutive Master of Arts program

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

While we often speak of ‘born leaders’, leadership is also an art and a practice that can be learned. This subject is designed to help students to develop their leadership skills through the study of well-known leaders, theories of leadership and assessment of and reflection on their own leadership actions. The subject will critically examine concepts and definitions of leadership and how they have changed over time; leadership within and outside formal roles and organisational settings; the exercise of leadership, power, and authority; and the role of values and ethics in leadership. Study, discussion and analysis of leadership theory will be complemented by experiential activities, case studies of real leaders, guest speakers, and opportunities for group discussion and critical self-reflection.

Students who complete this subject should have:

• Developed a critical understanding of the key concepts, theories and definitions of leadership.
• Developed a critical understanding of the types of leadership skills which are said to be most appropriate and effective in contemporary settings.
• Developed the capacity to analyse different contexts and to understand which leadership styles are most effective in particular contexts.
• Developed the capacity to reflect critically on and improve their own personal leadership understanding, experiences, insights and goals.

1. A reflective essay of your own leadership style, its strengths and effectiveness 2,500 words, due during the teaching period (50%)
2. An evaluation of the theory and practice of team leadership, 2,500 words, due at the end of the teaching period (50%)

Assessment Extension Policy and Special Consideration

If circumstances beyond your control have severely hindered your ability to complete assessed work, you can ask for an extension of the due date for that work. The marks you receive will not be raised to take account of your difficulties. Assessed work is graded 'on merit'. How you ask for an extension depends on the length of time for which your work is delayed:

A. Permission from the subject coordinator of the subject you are studying For extensions of up to 10 days, you must seek approval from the coordinator of the subject. Except in unusual circumstances, you must speak to him or her before the due date for the work and provide an extension form, which can be downloaded here. These forms should be filled in and given to the subject coordinator before the submission date. Extensions will not be granted after the due date has passed. An individual extension request must be made to each subject coordinator.

B. Special Consideration

For extensions longer than 10 days you must apply for Special Consideration from the Faculty of Arts. This applies to work affected by circumstances that are:

• Unavoidable
• Unforseen,
• Outside your control
• Not primarily your fault

If your circumstances fit this pattern you should apply for Special Consideration through the Student Portal. You will have to provide documentation to back your request. Details about this documentation, and further details about the process are given on the Student Portal and at the Faculty of Arts Special Consideration webpage. The Faculty will then will tell subject coordinators by email of the outcomes of your application for special consideration. In severe cases affecting multiple subjects, it is also advisable to contact the EMA Course Coordinator.

Joseph S. Nye Jr, The Powers to Lead, Oxford: Oxford University Press 2008

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who complete this subject should:

• Be able to demonstrate competence in critical and theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations.
• Be able to demonstrate competence in conceptualising theoretical problems, and forming arguments and judgments through critical analysis.
• Be able to demonstrate increased self-awareness.