Leadership Theory & Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

This intensive subject will be taught weekly over four weeks, beginning in March.

170 hours

Admission into the MC-EMA Executive 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.

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• develop a critical understanding of the key concepts, theories and definitions of leadership;
• develop a critical understanding of the types of leadership skills which are said to be most appropriate and effective in contemporary settings;
• develop the capacity to analyse different contexts and to understand which leadership styles are most effective in particular contexts; and
• develop 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 (50%), due during the teaching period.

2. An evaluation of the theory and practice of team leadership, 2,500 words (50%), due at the end of the teaching period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject.

Readings for this subject are drawn from a variety of textbooks and articles on leadership, and will be available in reading packs that can be purchased at the bookstore or via LMS.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

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