Leadership, Education, and Development Skills
Advanced Leader Program
Course Syllabus
Alternating Wednesdays, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Instructor
Kawana Coulon, M.Ed.
Coordinator of Orientation and Leadership
Center for Student Leadership & Service
University Center, Room 316
Phone:  520-7320 ∙ Email:   ktnavarr@xula.edu

Course Description
The purpose of this course is to teach effective and ethical leadership skills to the student who has held a leadership position.  The comprehensive curriculum will address practical aspects of leadership, which can be utilized on campus, in the local community, and at the workplace.

Course Objectives

1. Students will learn to articulate values, qualities, and skills important to leadership positions.
2. Students will actively participate in leadership workshops and panel discussions.
3. Students will develop an expanded awareness of community leadership via a service project.
4. Students will enhance their written and oral communication skills through article reviews, case studies, reflective writings, in-class discussions.
5. Students will develop their personal identity as a leader and a vision statement.

Attendance and Participation
A quality leadership training experience rests heavily on the degree of interaction and exchange of ideas among students and instructor.   Each advanced leader is expected to be prepared for class and actively participate in class discussions.   Your ability to contribute to class discussions and reflection activities and to integrate course readings will heavily weigh in determining eligibility for leadership certification. 

In the event that you will miss class or be late, the instructor must be notified prior to that class.  More than one absence will result in your being ineligible for advanced leadership certification.

Assignments, Readings, and Journal Entries
Assignments and readings should be completed prior to the start of class.  Journal entries will focus on what you are learning about yourself related to leadership development.   Suggested questions are provided each week, and entries should be at least one page in length and legible. 

Leadership Certification
Any advanced leader who successfully completes a semester of XU LEADS training is will receive leadership certification for this track.  The certification is required to hold the position of Peer Dean, Resident Assistant, Mobilization at Xavier Project Coordinator, and 2008 Student Government Association candidate.

Community Projects
Each leader is required to participate in at least two community projects during the semester.  

Course Outline/Assignment Explanations:
Week 1:                Introduction and Course Overview
We will discuss the syllabus and expectations.  The XU LEADS certification will be explained. 

Week 2:                Servant Leadership
The contemporary, corporate management approach of servant leadership will be considered.  We will review the impact that it can have on your leadership experience.    

1. Assignment/Reading:  first draft of personal vision statement and leadership action plan Brookshire, M. (2001).  Virtue Ethics and Servant Leadership.  Ethics News & Views,  April, 2001.

1. Journal Questions to Consider:  What are my goals/expectations for the course?  How and what will I contribute to Xavier’s student leadership community?  What does leadership mean to me?  How does servant leadership compare/contrast with ethical leadership?            

               
Week 3:                Delegation of Duties
We will consider how to delegate tasks to other members of the organization.  The benefits of delegation will be addressed along with why many leaders do not distribute duties.

1. Assignment/Reading:  Shelley, A. (1997).  Delegating Duties Takes Tact, Clarity.  The School Administrator, January 1997.
2. Journal Questions to Consider:  What are the benefits of delegating duties?  What are the risks associated with delegating?  As a leader, why do you find it difficult to do so?

 
Week 4:                Ethical Decision Making
We will address the importance of ethical leadership.  You will reflect on personal values and how they play a key role in leadership action.

1. Journal Question to Consider:  What do I value?  What investment have I made in my spiritual development?  What is the difference between ethics and morality?  How should spirituality impact my decision making as a leader?

Week 5:                Group Dynamics
We will discuss the importance of effectively managing a group, five stages of group development, and circumventing grouping problems. 

• Assignment/Reading: “Five Stages of Group Development”
• Journal Questions to Consider:  What is my opinion of collaborative assignments?  What (positive) do I contribute to a group?  Am I a better group leader or follower and why?

Emergent Leader Syllabus Schedule - Advanced Leader Syllabus -