Required Course: Leadership Models and Practices
(LDR 2001)
Beginning in fall 2008, all incoming students (freshman or transfer) are required to enroll in LDR 2001-Leadership Models and Practices as part of the leadership curriculum at Lawrence Tech.
This course is the flagship course for the University's leadership program. In Leadership Models and Practices, students will expand their understanding of leadership models and practices that were introduced in University Seminar.
The course emphasizes developing self-aware leaders who are committed to being agents of positive, sustainable change. As such, students in this course will identify and develop their personal leadership philosophy and approach using written self-reflection, peer assessment, and experiential learning, including teamwork, problem-solving, and role playing.
Leadership Goals for Sophomores
During the second year of the leadership curriculum, students will:
- Expand understanding of models used in University Seminar and introduce leadership practices
- Develop personal leadership approach and philosophy through self-reflection and experiential learning
- Emphasize teamwork and creative problem-solving approaches
Course Description (as it appears in the Catalog)
Introduce philosophical, historical, and theoretical frameworks for different leadership concepts and practical approaches in personal, professional, and organizational settings. Develop personal leadership philosophy by linking skills with experience, written self-reflection, and self- and peer assessment of teamwork and problem-solving. This course is reading- and writing-intensive.
Course Topics
The following topics should be covered during the course. The course texts provide foundational reading for each of these topics:
- History of Leadership Theories
- Currently Practiced Leadership Models (e.g., relational, shared, situational, etc)
- Individual Responsibility and Ethics
- Diversity and Globalization
- Team Building, Working in Groups, and Inclusive Practices
- Effective Communication
- Creativity and Problem Solving
- Organizational Leadership
- Professional/Business Concepts of Leadership
This course will be offered through the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Communication department during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students can take the class any time after completing University Seminar up until they have earned 75 credits. The course is required and must be completed for graduation.