CASE STUDIES OF PRACTICE: LEADERSHIP
Title of Practice/Project: Leadership Challenges and Practices
Contact: Dr Patricia Gayá Wicks (Patricia.Gaya.Wicks@exeter.ac.uk)
Published: March 2008
Reason for selection: The module is of interest in the way it helps students make the links between theory and
practice. It features guest speakers including practising organisational leaders (both private and public sector),
consultants and coaches, as well as informal leaders, such as community activists. Students learn not just through
theories and academic literature, but by reflecting on observations and experiences of leadership in practice.
Assessment includes making use of a learning journal and of the outcomes of interaction with guest speakers
GENERAL BACKGROUND
1. School
SoBE
2. Subject
LEADERSHIP
3. Module Title (if applicable)
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES AND PRACTICES
4. Module Code
CLS2002
5. Web reference: http://www.sobe.ex.ac.uk/module.php?id=352
6. Level
2
7. Duration
One Semester
8. Date/s of Practice/Project
9. Lead person
DR PATRICIA GAYA WICKS
10. Others involved
ABOUT THE PRACTICE/PROJECT
11. Type of activity, eg.
Single session, project,
module.
12. Focus for activity,
eg. Active Learning
Independent learning
Students as researchers/
Enquiry-led learning
Key skills Other (describe)
Module with lectures and workshops that include small group activities
11 x 2 hour lectures = 22 hours of lecture time
11 x 1 hour workshops = 11 hours of workshop time
An ‘active learning’ approach.
Students will develop skills in critical thinking; self-awareness and capacity for
personal reflection; and confidence and assertiveness.
13. Size of student
group
14. Full description of
practice (ie. what
happens?)
This module aims to address the more practical, active and vocational aspects of
leadership, and starts from the assumption that almost every organised activity is
initiated by leadership of some sort, and that most benefit from good leadership. Over
the course of this module, students will be encouraged to critically explore the
following question: What can each of us do to get better at leading, and to support
others in leadership positions for the good of the shared enterprise?
Alongside engaging with contemporary theoretical perspectives on leadership,
students will be encouraged to learn from their own and others’ experience(s) of
leadership in practice, and to engage in activities which enable them to develop their
own leadership capacity.
11 x 2 hour lectures = 22 hours of lecture time
11 x 1 hour workshops = 11 hours of workshop time
NB: Workshops will focus on the practical application of the material covered in the
lectures, and will feature guest speakers, multi-media presentations, assignment
‘tutorials’, and other activities designed to help students to make the links between
theory and practice.
Approximately half of the workshops will involve guest speakers; the remainder will
involve other practical activities, for which in-class small-group work may be required.
15. What was the
rationale for
In this way, the module aims to enhance students’ employability, and to allow them to
develop critical perspectives on leadership, which can be taken into their future work
introducing the
practice?
and organisations.
16. Resources/support
required (technical
assistance, specialised
equipment etc)
ASSESSMENT
17a. Assessment Formative
Student participation in workshops and workshop activities.
During the workshop in Week 3, students will be given a practice (non-assessed) short
answer question to complete in own time, along with some guidelines and advice on
how to respond, to be handed in at the end of the workshop in Week 4.
17b. Assessment Summative
The students’ participation in workshops (and interaction with guest speakers) will
form the basis for the first assignment.
Worth 40% of final mark – 3 short answer questions based on workshop material (500
words max per question, total of 1200 words).
Worth 60% of final mark – 1 x 2500 word essay based on reflective journal kept over
the module of the semester.
17c. Assessment
criteria (web link if
Handout of criteria.
available)
FEEDBACK
18a. Feedback Student comments
"Fantastic, fresh lecturing and great content. I will think about and refer to in years to
come for certain."
“The information provided on different leadership styles/perspectives was fascinating.”
"It enlightened me to the different areas of leadership and its complexities. It taught
me that leading is not simply about having people follow you it is about interactions,
processes and challenges. The seminars were very effective with guest speakers
giving examples of their experiences and leadership in practice."
“it seems very useful for future life”
“It is one of the few modules where there is a constant connection to practical
examples.”
18b. Feedback –
Staff comments
18C. Feedback Others (External
Examiner, Professional
Accrediting Body etc)
OTHER MATTERS
19. Issues/difficulties;
improvements
20. Benefits of practice
The module combines practical approaches to leading with a head-on approach to
some of the tricky questions about leadership.