Kennesaw State University
Siegel Institute
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
SIEGEL INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP, ETHICS & CHARACTER
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN LEADERSHIP & ETHICS
ILEC 8810 FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP
Prerequisites
Acceptance into a KSU graduate master’s degree program and into the Siegel Institute.
Course Description
Developing an understanding of leadership styles and related theories is critical to the ongoing development
and success of organizational leaders. This course will involve study of several established and emerging
theories of leadership, including Trait Theory, The Leadership Grid, Situational Leadership, Contingency
Theory, Path-Goal Theory, Transformational Leadership, and Authentic Leadership. Students will explore
applications of the various theories to case studies, as well as to their current professional settings. Students
will gain insights via personal leadership style assessments. Foundational leadership practices related to
visioning, team learning, self awareness, innovation, and systems thinking will also be explored.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course the student will:
1. Be conversant in several established and emerging leadership theories.
2. Accurately apply several leadership theories/models to various case study scenarios.
3. Demonstrate self awareness and understanding relative to their personal leadership style.
4. Understand leadership challenges relative to distinct organizational contexts.
5. Demonstrate applied insight relative to leadership-driven visioning, learning, self awareness, innovation,
and systems thinking.
Required Texts
1. Northouse, P.G. (2003). Leadership: Theory and Practice, 5th Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
2. Senge, P.M. (2006). The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization, Revised and Updated
Edition. New York: Currency Doubleday.
3. Sims, R.S. & Quatro, S.A. eds. (2005). Leadership: Succeeding in the Private, Public, and Not-for-Profit Sectors.
Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe.
4. Other readings as assigned.
Assessment/Assignments
Evaluation Component
Case Analysis Papers
Self-Assessment Response Papers
Mid-Term Exam
5th Discipline Analysis Paper/Presentation
Final Exam
Class Participation
Total Points Possible
Foundations of Leadership Syllabus
Points/Percentage of Total
50 points or 10% of total
50 points or 10% of total
100 points or 20% of total
100 points or 20% of total
100 points or 20% of total
100 points or 20% of total
500 points or 100% of total
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Kennesaw State University
Siegel Institute
Letter grades will be earned based on the following scale:
Grade
Percentage of Total Points Earned
A
90% to 100%
B
80% to 89%
C
70% to 79%
D
60% to 69%
F
below 60%
Case Analysis Papers (50 Total Points)
There will be 2 cases analysis papers worth 25 points each (1 team, 1 individual). All team members will
receive the same grade for the team case analysis paper. Students must respond thoroughly to all assigned
questions. Cases are due by 11 pm EST on the last day of the week during which they are scheduled. Late
cases will be penalized 20% for each day late.
Self-Assessment Response Papers (50 Total Points)
There will be 2 self-assessment response papers (1 team, 1 individual) worth 25 points each. Students must
respond thoroughly to all assigned questions. Response papers are due by 11 pm EST on the last day of the
week during which they are scheduled. Late submissions will be penalized 20% for each day late.
Mid-Term Examination (100 Total Points)
There will be one mid-term examination covering all material up to the date of the exam. The mid-term
exam will be entirely multiple choice, and is to be taken on an open-book, open-note basis. It will be posted
and available for one week, and is due at 11pm EST on the last day of the week during which it is available.
Late exams will not be accepted.
5th Discipline Analysis Paper/Presentation (100 Total Points)
There will be one team organizational analysis assignment with a written paper (75 points) component and a
presentation (25 points) component. Students will work in teams to analyze the leadership effectiveness of a
chosen organization relative to Senge’s 5 core disciplines. All team members will receive the same grade.
Final Examination (100 Total Points)
There will be one final examination covering all material in the course. The final exam will entirely short and
long answer (no multiple choice), and is to be taken on a open-book, open-note basis. It will be posted and
available for one week, and is due at 11pm EST on the last day of the week during which it is available. Late
exams will not be accepted.
Class Participation (100 Total Points)
Leaders need to confidently and persuasively engage in the dialogue of their organizations. Consequently,
class participation is a significant portion (20%) of the overall course evaluation.
In evaluating Class Participation the following will be considered:
 Thoughtfulness of responses/postings.
 Clarity, applicability, and conciseness of responses/postings.
 Explicit and accurate connection to specific course material and theories in the context of
responses/postings.
 Quantity of responses/postings. Specifically, each student is required to post at least 1 direct response to
each instructor-posted master discussion question, and at least 1 response to student-posted
comments/answers/follow-up questions.
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Kennesaw State University
Siegel Institute
Course Schedule
Module
Content
Assignments
1
Leadership Overview, Trait Approach, Leadership
Cause and Effect, Leadership in For-Profit
Organizations.
Skills Approach, Style Approach, Systems Thinking.
Northouse Chapters 1 – 2, Senge Chapters 1 – 3,
Sims & Quatro Chapters 2 – 4.
2
3
4
Situational Approach, Systems Thinking, Leadership
in Not-For-Profit Organizations.
Contingency Theory, Self Awareness, Innovation,
Leadership in Government Organizations.
N/A
5
Mid-Term Exam.
Path-Goal Theory, Visioning, Team Learning,
Global Leadership.
6
Leader-Member Exchange Theory, Foundations and
Strategies for Cotemporary Leadership Practice.
7
Transformational Leadership, Authentic Leadership,
Contemporary Leadership Practice, Stewardship,
Leadership Across Multiple Organizational
Contexts.
8
The 5 Disciplines of Effective Contemporary
Leadership Applied.
N/A
Final Exam.
* Course schedule may be adjusted as necessary.
Northouse Chapters 3 – 4, Senge Chapters 4 – 5,
Team Case Analysis Paper Due.
Northouse Chapter 5, Senge Chapters 6 – 7, Sims
& Quatro Chapters 5 – 7.
Northouse Chapter 6, Senge Chapters 8 – 9, Sims
& Quatro Chapters 9 – 12, Individual Response
Paper Due.
N/A.
Northouse Chapter 7, Senge Chapters 10 – 11,
Sims & Quatro Chapters 17 – 18.
Northouse Chapter 8, Senge Chapters 12 – 14,
Individual Response Paper Due.
Northouse Chapters 9 – 10, Senge Chapters 15 –
18, Sims & Quatro Chapters 14 – 16, Individual
Case Analysis Paper Due
Team 5th Discipline Analysis Paper/Presentation
Due.
N/A.
Assignment Grading Guidelines
Case Analysis Papers and Self-Assessment Response Papers
The following guidelines will apply to the evaluation of the Case Analysis Papers (2@25 points) and SelfAssessment Response Papers (2@25 points):
Analysis and Application (80%)
 The student directly, thoroughly, and accurately answers all of the assigned analysis/reflection questions.
 The student accurately and appropriately applies broader course material (including specific theoretical
constructs) in formulating responses to the assigned analysis/reflection questions.
Formatting, Grammar/Punctuation/Spelling, and Readability (20%)
 The paper is laid out effectively, employing appropriate business-writing conventions (e.g. section
headings, bulleted lists of text).
 The paper is free of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
 The paper is easily read and understood.
 The tone of the paper is appropriately assertive and confident.
5th Discipline Analysis Paper/Presentation
The following guidelines will apply to the evaluation of both the written paper and presentation components
of the 5th Discipline Analysis assignment:
Analysis and Application (80%)
 The student effectively communicates an overall profile of the chosen organization.
 The student accurately and thoroughly applies Senge’s five core disciplines in analyzing and evaluating the
leadership effectiveness of the chosen organization.
 The student provides detailed, specific, and theoretically sound recommendations for improving the
leadership effectiveness of the chosen organization.
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Siegel Institute
Formatting, Grammar/Punctuation/Spelling, and Readability (20%)
 The paper/slides are laid out effectively, employing appropriate business-writing conventions (e.g. section
headings, bulleted lists of text).
 The paper/slides are free of glaring grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
 The paper/slides are easily read and understood.
 The tone of the paper/slides is appropriately assertive and confident.
Class Participation
The following grading guidelines will apply to the evaluation of Class Participation (100 total points):
 A (90 to 100 points) = The student serves as a clear leader in terms of both quality and quantity of
discussion postings, demonstrating depth of thought, conciseness, applicability, and broad and deep
connection to course content/theory.
 B (80 to 89 points) = The student is a strong contributor to class discussion in terms of both quality and
quantity of discussion contributions, with solid postings in terms of conciseness, applicability, and
connection to course content/theory.
 C (70 to 79 points) = The student provides an acceptable contribution to class discussion in terms of
both quality and quantity of discussion contributions, with reasonable postings in terms of conciseness,
applicability, and connection to course content/theory.
 D (60 to 69 points) or F (below 60 points) = The student provides an unacceptable contribution to class
discussion in terms of both quality and quantity of discussion contributions, with substandard postings in
terms of conciseness, applicability, and connection to course content/theory.
The Learning Environment
This is an online course taught within a sixteen-week semester. The online classroom provides the
opportunity for achieving learning objectives without attending on ground classes on a traditional campus.
Online learning requires a strong commitment to responsibility for one's own learning and diligent adherence
to the schedule. Self-discipline is the key attribute to success in this course. In this classroom there will be a
collaborative approach to learning, including students and facilitator. The facilitator (faculty) will assist
students in identifying experiences that promote achievement of the objectives.
*BY SIGNING UP FOR THIS ONLINE COURSE, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
MAINTAINING A WORKING COMPUTER with a Web Browser, Email and a word processing
program. If you wait until the last minute to submit your work, and it is late, expect to lose points.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BACKUP PLAN. All county libraries have computers with access to
the Internet. Additionally, the university has computer laboratories. UNLESS GeorgiaViewVISTA
VERIFIES THERE’S A PROBLEM, YOU WILL LOSE POINTS FOR LATE SUBMISSIONS.
Course Policies
RESPECT FOR PERSONS IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT
When participating in an online course, it is expected students will be respectful of others and their
beliefs and opinions. Anyone who becomes abusive of others will be asked to leave the course. It is
expected that we all will remain cordial and civil; we will approach this learning environment as a place
for all to learn and grow personally and professionally. Remember that everything you say in an online
environment is permanent and will be taken literally. Your writings should be in a professional style, that
is, full sentences, well-structured paragraphs, no online colloquialisms, and endnotes for references.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the
Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Graduate Catalogue. Section II of the Student Code of
Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism
and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University
records or academic work, malicious removal, retention or destruction of library materials,
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malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification
cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the
University Judiciary Program, which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting
in grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject student to the Code of Conduct’s
minimum one semester suspension requirement.
DISRUPTION OF CAMPUS LIFE. It is the purpose of the institution to provide a campus
environment which encourages academic accomplishment, personal growth, and a spirit of understanding
and cooperation. An important part of maintaining such an environment is the commitment to protect the
health and safety of every member of the campus community. Belligerent, abusive, profane, threatening
and/or inappropriate behavior on the part of students is a violation of Kennesaw State University Student
Conduct Regulations. Students who are found guilty of such misconduct may be subject to immediate
dismissal from the institution. In addition, these violations of state law may also be subject to criminal
action beyond the University disciplinary process.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. If you are a student who is disabled as defined under the
Americans with Disabilities Act and require assistance or support services, please seek assistance through
the Disabled Student Support Services—a unit of the Student Development Center. Contact Ms. Carol
Pope at 770-423-6443.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex,
religion, creed, national origin, age, or disability, be excluded from employment or participation in, be
denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted
by KSU.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT. All copyrighted material (hard copy or software) is protected by state and
federal legislation. Any reproduction of said material without written permission is a violation of the law.
WRITING CENTER HELP. The KSU Writing Center is a free service offered to all KSU students.
Experienced, friendly Writing Assistants will work with you to become a better writer--regardless of your
strengths or weaknesses. Commonly covered writing strategies include topic development, organization,
revision, research, source documentation, and grammar, but the Writing Center listens to and works with
each writer individually. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit
http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter, or stop by Room 242 in the English Building.
CAVEAT STATEMENT. Assignments and dates may be subject to change. Students are responsible
for all changes made to the calendar as announced by the instructor via KSU student e-mail.
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