| Unit name | Leadership |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIMM0069 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Vachhani |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The aim of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of the theories, frameworks and key debates concerning leadership in organisations. The unit will comprise a mix of theory, critique of mainstream approaches to leadership, reflection and practical discussion based on case studies. It will draw on a range of literatures, including management and organisational theory, critical management studies, sociology and philosophy amongst others.
Students will analyse key developments in leadership theory over the past fifty years, including the emergence of notions such as transformational, authentic, distributed and shared leadership, and issues around gender, diversity and ethics. Leadership practices will be critically evaluated from a theoretical stance and will give students another perspective from which to understand the leadership role. Specific leadership challenges will be identified and used as a practical basis for reflective learning and small group work.
The overall aim of the unit is to develop a critical understanding of a variety of leadership theories and the context of the leadership role in contemporary organisations. The unit will also provide the opportunity for students to reflect on their own experiences and practice, and to develop some skills as reflective practitioners.
Lectures introduce theoretical concepts and ideas that inform the subject. Classes include readings, exercises and case studies. Additional reading and the active use of the Blackboard online learning environment is designed to develop a depth of understanding.
Teaching delivery will consist of:
10 hours lectures and 12 hours classes
On the existing 15 credit PG units average contact is 10 hours lectures and 10 hours classes = 20 hours
Summative assessment
An individual assignment of 5000 words which assesses a student’s ability to critically appraise key theories and concepts from both theoretical and practical perspectives (100%) (ILO 1-6).
Students have a choice of 4 assignment questions which involve: considering their own development as a leader and bringing together theory and reflective practice (ILO 1-4, 6); evaluating the tensions between morality and effectiveness in leadership (ILO 1-3, 5); identifying a leader they admire and evaluating their approach using theories explored on the unit (ILO 1-5); or analysing an organisation’s approach to diversity management (ILO 1-3, 5).
Formative assessment
In-class group presentation intended to assess students’ ability to synthesise and evaluate leadership concepts, analyse different leadership theories relating to key dilemmas in leadership studies and critically evaluate different assumptions and leadership perspectives (ILO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
Caroll, B, Ford, J and Taylor, S (eds) (2015) Leadership: Contemporary Critical Perspectives. London: Sage.
Grint, K (1997) Leadership – Classical, Contemporary and Critical Approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Iszatt-White, M and Saunders, C (2014) Leadership. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Northouse, P.G. (2012) Introduction to Leadership. Concepts and Practice.
London: Sage
Rickards, T (2012) Dilemmas of Leadership – second edition. London: Routledge
Western, S (2008) Leadership – A Critical Text. London: Sage.
