Course Descriptions
Leadership and Organizational Studies
Through the Center for New Learning, students enrolled in the Leadership and Organizational Studies program can choose from the following course offerings. Course offerings may vary by semester.
Liberal Studies 301
Contemporary Global Issues and Problems (3 credits)
Enables student to evaluate contemporary social problems through an exploration of historical trends and an increased facility with economic analysis. Special emphasis is placed on the issues of unemployment, inflation, energy, markets and planning, and economic growth from an international perspective. Because of the limited success of bureaucratic systems, several emerging economic alternatives are explored.
Leadership and Organizational Studies 302
Emerging Technologies and Society (3 credits)
Examines the evolution of digital technology and its impact on contemporary life with a focus on communication. Consideration is given to the interdependencies of technology, culture, economics and law with human development and interpersonal relationships, and to the implications for global dialogue.
Communications 318
Intercultural Communication (ES) (3 credits)
This course provides an examination of cultural influences on human interaction in variety of contexts. Theoretical and practical aspects of intercultural communication are explored. Prerequisite: Communications 118 and 236 or consent of instructor.
Liberal Studies 319
Presentations in the Virtual Workplace (3 credits)
This course offers guidance and examples on how to create effective online medicated presentations in a workplace, which is increasingly dependent upon computer technology as a means to communicate globally. The course provides students with an understanding of effective presentation creation strategies utilizing story-telling techniques. In addition, students will learn the use of new media techniques to optimize organizational, networked and web presentations. Students will create Web-based new media presentations utilizing graphics, animation, and integrated recorded speech.
Leadership and Organizational Studies 325
Introduction to Organizational Processes (3 credits)
This course provides the student with an introduction to some recent and successful theories and practices of organizational administration, including communication basics, persuasion, critical and empathetic listening, leadership development, systems and strategic thinking, planning, programming and budgeting, cognitive complexity, leadership styles and development, total quality management, the improvement of human performance and learning organizations. The student will also have an introduction to ethics, external affairs and crisis planning and management.
Leadership and Organizational Studies 335
Transformative Leadership (3 credits)
Transformative Leadership is a creative, passionate and authentic expression of service inspired by the leadership wisdom of Bennis, Drucker Greenleaf, Hellebein, Hooks and Quinn. In this course learners will have the opportunity to identify and develop individually unique and effective leadership styles and approaches. Through a combination of inventories reflection and experiential activities, learners will explore their passion and what constrains their leadership, as well as how they impact and influence others. Learners will also observe and analyze the leadership styles of leaders with whom they associate.
Leadership and Organizational Studies 336
Collaborative Leadership Dynamics (3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce a theoretical framework for collaborative leadership and the elements of group dynamics that support and maintain its success. Opportunities to integrate theory and practice will be provided to assist learners in understanding how groups function and how they, as leaders, impact the ability/behaviors of the group for solving personal, interpersonal, group and organizational problems.
Leadership and Organizational Studies 337
Conflict Resolution: Mediation, Negotiation and Arbitration (3 credits)
This course covers the study and practice of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes and techniques. Special emphasis is placed on the use of ADR to deal with conflicts and issues in community and civic contexts.
Leadership and Organizational Studies 405
Project Planning & Implementation (3 credits)
This course includes the topic areas of initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing projects, following the proven structure developed by the internationally-recognized Project Management Institute. Topics also covered are time management, conflict resolution and effective communication and partnerships, methods and behaviors associated with successful projects. This course uses a series of case studies, problems and papers designed to help students demonstrate their ability to apply course topics to business settings. Prerequisites: Math 187, 188 or 189 (PBIS); LS 325
Leadership and Organizational Studies 410
Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
Designed as a culminating learning experience, this course focuses on the integration of concepts and ideas from previous Liberal Studies courses. Prerequisites: LS 300 or Eng 309 or Eng 316; LS 325
Leadership and Organizational Studies 411/412
Senior Research Project (6 credits)
With guidance of a mentor or adjunct faculty member and the instructor, the student selects a topic for a research project, conducts the appropriate research and presents the conclusions in an acceptable format and style. The successful completion of the research project is contingent upon the utilization of the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Upper-level thought process, analysis, synthesis, summarization and drawing conclusions are assumed. A project review and approval schedule identifies performance evaluation from topic selection to completion of the research project. Prerequisites: LS 300 or Eng 309 or Eng 316; LS 325
Leadership and Organizational Studies 466
Applied Data Gathering and Analysis (3 credits)
Using data effectively in the workplace: the collection, analysis and interpretation of data for decision making and problem solving within organizations. Topics include question posing, qualitative data gathering and analysis, quantitative data gathering and analysis, descriptive statistics, beginning inferential statistics, feasibility techniques and process analysis. This course will use an extensive series of cases and problems and conclude with student projects that demonstrate an ability to take a problem from inquiry and data gathering, through analysis and solution identification, to formal presentation. Prerequisites: Math 187, 188 or 189 (PBIS); LS 325
