Leadership Studies Minor
Mission and Objectives
The Leadership Studies (LS) minor is an interdisciplinary course of study providing students with in-depth exposure to concepts, history, theories and best practices of leadership, with special emphasis on the need of emerging leaders to present informed, integrated and ethical solutions to local, national and international issues that affect civil society.
Goal
Students explore critical ethical leadership issues that impact civil society using new and emerging instructional and information technology. The goal of the Leadership Studies Minor Curriculum is to prepare students through a rigorous, interdisciplinary academic course of study to:
- Apply modes of inquiry and knowledge bases from various disciplines to the study and practive of leadership with particular emphasis on science and technology, humanities and the social sciences, business and economics
- Think critically about the relationship between knowledge, values and the practice of leadership from a local, national and international perspective
- Retrieve, examine, and when desirable and necessary, critically reframe leadership practices that have historically marked African American life and culture
- Understand personal and public roles of leadership in an increasingly diverse and global world
- Discern, deliberate, and decide on appropriate strategies for action and change directed by values of courage, justice, and compassion
- Develop adaptive strategies that promote teamwork and cooperation
- Imagine worthwhile visions of the future and inspire others to join in bringing about change when desirable and necessary
- Serve effectively in leadership roles in diverse settings while emerging as leaders by self-directed, life-long learning with emphasis on international ethical influences
Requirements for Leadership Studies Minor
Students are recommended to begin course sequence leading to a minor in Leadership Studies during their freshman or sophomore year. The 15-hour curriculum comprises five courses:
Three leadership studies core courses (nine hours)
- HLS 101, Foundations of Leadership, a prerequisite to HLS 201
- HLS 201, History and Theories of Leadership, a prerequisite to HLS 301
- HLS 301, Ethical Leadership and African American Moral Traditions, capstone course
Two elective courses (six hours)
- HBA 454, Ethical Leadership and the Crisis in Global North-South Relations, pre-requisite for international travel experience
- To be selected by the students from a predetermined list of LS Minor electives (see Leadership Studies coordinator for current electives)
Students must apply to the LS minor before completion of the second course of the program. Additional requirements for the minor in Leadership Studies are completion of a community service project, attendance at the Bank of America and Coca Cola Leadership Lecture Series, a Summer National/International Academic Experience and a senior thesis.
Leadership Studies (LS)
101. Foundations of Leadership 3 hours
Explores broad and diverse literature of leadership studies and critically examines prominent theories and practices of leadership while evaluating competencies, skills, practices, and activities of effective leadership traditionally associated with the field. The course emphasizes the relationship between theory and leadership practice, and the moral and civic responsibilities of leadership. Prerequisite: None.
201. History and Theories of Leadership 3 hours
Introduces students to historical and theoretical dimensions of leadership, with an emphasis on contemporary theories and models. The course is designed as an "intellectual history" of leadership, equipping students with an enhanced understanding of the richness and diversity of the field of leadership studies. The course will explore a wealth of differing sources and approaches to leadership, including ancient mythology, classical philosophy, literature, history, social scientific theories of leadership and contemporary insights. Prerequisite: HLS 101
301. Ethical Leadership and African American Moral Traditions 3 hours
This capstone course in the Leadership Studies minor examines African American leadership from a narrative perspective, utilizing primary and secondary source materials. This course explores theoretical and practical elements of leadership in specific historical contexts and evaluates competencies traditionally associated with African American leadership practices. Three areas of ethical leadership will be emphasized: morally-anchored character, transformative acts of civility, and a sense of community. Prerequisite: HLS 201.
454. Ethical Leadership-the Crisis in Global North-South Relations 3 hours
As a requirement for the international academic experience, this special topics course studies of the crisis in global North-South relations. In context of Northern states, its emphasis is upon the perspective of American power. In the context of Southern states, it pays particular attention to those entities which are significantly related to the United States or dependent upon it with some consideration of Africa, especially in relation to HIV/AIDS. Some salient issues that arise in the North-South context are to do with trade, aid, militarization, terrorism and migration. Prerequisite: none
General Education Pilot Courses
412. Spirituality, Ethics and Leadership 3 hours
The course will explore a wealth of differing sources and approaches to spirituality, ethics and leadership, including ancient mythology, theology, classical philosophy, aesthetics, literature, history, ethics, and social scientific theories of leadership. Discussions of spirituality will cover a diverse and increasingly complex spectrum of beliefs, practices and approaches within and beyond traditional religious circles.
414. Leadership and Civic Engagement (Capstone) 3 hours
This course will introduce students to the academic study of leadership from both theoretical and practical perspectives, as well as a variety of settings. Leadership as a field is shaped by many disciplines such as business, sociology, psychology, political science, religion, and philosophy. This course will develop a foundation of the conceptual aspects of leadership, built upon by learning and observing the skills, practices, and activities of effective leadership identified by leadership scholars. The course includes Discipline-Based Service-Learning component where knowledge and skills from the course must be implemented and practiced.
Dr. Melvinia Turner King, Assistant Professor
Coordinator of Leadership Studies Minor
mtking@morehouse.edu
