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Sample Syllabus
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
SIEGEL INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP, ETHICS & CHARACTER
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN LEADERSHIP & ETHICS
[date]
Course Title:
ILEC 8920 Current Issues in Leadership and Ethics
Prerequisites: Acceptance into a KSU graduate Master’s or Doctoral degree program and/or into the
Siegel Institute Graduate Certificate Program.
Course Description:
GSLE is a leadership development course that is designed to enhance the
personal and professional growth of future young professionals in all disciplines. Students will enhance
their leadership skills in the areas of team building, decision-making, and community awareness. The
course includes dynamic speakers, meetings with top companies, and introspective and experiential
activities that focus on developing ethical leadership abilities.
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Faculty:
Dr. Linda M. Johnston
Executive Director
Siegel Institute for Leadership, Ethics and Character
Office: Kennesaw State University
Town Point, Room 2400
Phone: 678-797-2000
FAX: 678-797-2205
E-mail: ljohnst9@kennesaw.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
Teresa Joyce, PhD.
Associate Provost
Office: Kennesaw Hall
Phone: 770-423-6023
E-mail: tjoyce@kennesaw.edu
Course Objectives: Through the study of organizational culture and various and broad ethical leadership
concepts, the student will develop a professional development plan, and develop leadership skills,
strategies, and tools that can be put into action. Session topics such as identifying personal values, ethical
judgment, servant leadership, character leadership, managing change, team building, and collaboration
will be studied. By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate an understanding of the following
objectives through assignments, discussion, or other means.
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Develop critical thinking skills by resolving ethical dilemmas
Understand the basic elements of behavior, character traits, and social awareness for interpersonal
dynamics
Develop insight into leading authentically, strategically, and intentionally
Enhance the ability to communicate vision and purpose
Experience hands-on collaboration and effective team building
Be exposed to leaders of top companies and organizations with both local and global impact
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Commit to an understanding of self-awareness, self-renewal and community
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the semester students will:
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Have a better understanding of their communication skills and how to use them to develop
positive and productive relationships
Be able to evaluate and promote accountability to all stakeholders
Create and implement a professional development plan
Be able to analyze an ethical awareness in work and social environments
Required Texts
Bill Sternberg and Sloan R.Weitzel. Setting Your Development Goals: Start With Your Values (2001)
Robert L. Turkett and Carolyn N. Turknett. Decent People, Decent Company: How To Lead with
Character at Work and in Life (2005)
Harvard Business School Press. Managing Change (2007)
Selected readings (Provided by professor)
Suggested Texts
William W. Purkey and Betty L. Siegel. Becoming an Invitational Leader (2003)
Student Evaluation: The student will demonstrate competence in communicating (through writing)
his/her understanding of course materials. The student will be expected to complete the following
assignments in a timely manner during the course of the semester:
Graded Course Requirements
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Attendance and participation at all monthly meetings
Substantive answers to writing assignments
Monthly updates on professional developmental plan
Final Professional Development Plan: Includes monthly
updates, assessment instrument and executable plan for the next six months
Total Points
A
B
C
70 Points
55 Points
25 Points
50 Points
__________
200
175-200 Points
150-174 Points
>150 Points
Substantive Answers (SA): Substantive answers to assigned questions are to be completed by a specific
date are to be backed up by data, references (texts are ok), are to be a thoughtful critique of presentations
and readings, and offer thorough consideration of the questions asked.
Essays will be graded using the following criteria:
Accurate interpretation of the author’s or presenter’s ideas
Critical reasoning: the process of acquiring information and evaluating it to reach a
well-justified conclusion or answer.
Composition
A. Ideas and their development:
1. Thesis or central idea relevant, uses detailed, supporting material.
2. Important points are clearly emphasized.
3. Opinions are supported by documented principles and research.
4. New ideas; original ideas are presented.
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40%
40%
20%
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5. Introduction makes you want to read further.
6. Body of the paper shows insight into the topic and supports the thesis or central
idea.
7. Conclusion summarizes without being repetitious.
B. Structure and Organization:
1. One idea logically follows another. (Orderly presentation of ideas)
2. Transitions are used.
3. Unified and coherent paragraphs are evident.
4. Introduction, body and conclusion are well proportioned.
C. Mechanics and Language:
1. Correct sentence structure used.
2. Sentences effectively used; variety in sentences.
3. Correct spelling is used.
4. Correct punctuation is used.
5. Language is effective.
6. Appropriate grammar is used. (Agreement of subject & verb)
7. Bias in language is avoided.
Class Participation (CP): Class participation is willingly and spiritedly engaging in and responding to
the discussion of the topics at hand. This includes staying engaged in the discussion (no texting, reading
email, etc.), and asking questions of and responding to questions from presenters and classmates.
TENTATIVE OVERVIEW OF WORKSHOPS AND READINGS
Module 1:
Introduction to the course
Kick-off Retreat, Dahlonega, GA
Bill Sternberg and Sloan R.Weitzel. Setting Your Development Goals: Start With Your Values
1. Team-building exercises and activities
2. DISC Profile with Nick Mantia
3. Challenge course
4. Alpine Tower
5. Values discussion
6. Developing a development plan
**Assignment 1 due [date]
Module 2:
Character Leadership, Turknett Leadership Group
The King Center
Decent People, Decent Company
**Assignment 2 due [date]
Module 3:
Pathways to Leadership/Mentorship
Jolley Lodge, KSU campus
1. Erroll B. Davis, Chancellor, University System of Georgia
2. Mike McKeller, Extreme Mike
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**Assignment 3 due [date]
Module 4:
Diversity
Atlanta History Center
**Assignment 4 due [date]
Module 5:
Corporate Leadership: Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Managing Change, Harvard Business School Press
1. Management By Strengths
2. Technical Operations
3. Merger Management
**Assignment 5 due [date]
Module 6:
Servant Leadership: TBA
Assigned readings
**Assignment 6 due [date]
Module 7:
Collaboration: Closing Ceremonies, Lake Lanier, GA
1. Sailing Activity
2. Completion of professional development plan
3. Course Assessment
**Assignment 7 due [date]
MISCELLANEOUS
FACULTY FEEDBACK
You will receive faculty feedback on a regular basis throughout the semester including:
1. Some "directional comments" or announcements to the whole group indicating how things are
looking on the whole and reminders or University announcements.
2. Individual private messages if anyone is having a specific problem. This usually is done to reflect
marginal attendance, missing assignments, lack of substance to the writing assignments, and lack
of dialogue in the classroom.
3. Grades for assignments. An explanation of how grading will be accomplished and what is
expected is indicated in the syllabus. There will be no surprises and I will keep you informed of
your progress in the course as we go.
4. Timely responses. I will make every attempt to reply to your questions as quickly as possible. I
expect the same from you.
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COURSE POLICIES
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,
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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