Leadership and Professional Ethics
PAD 5006 On-line
Spring 2007
Instructor:
Jo Arney
Office:
1380 Lawrence Street Center, Suite 525
Denver, CO 80204
Office Phone: (303) 352-3769
E-Mail:
jo.arney@cudenver.edu
Course Description
In this course, we will examine the foundations and context of moral choice, the moral
implications of decision-making within public organizations, and the theories and skills
needed for effective public leadership. In doing so, our purpose is to make visible the
ethical and leadership challenges facing public managers. There will be an emphasis on
critical thinking, normative decision-making, and the role of values in public policy and
management. Ethical theories and principles commonly used in public administration and
policy will be explored, as will theories related to leadership.
Course Readings
There are three assigned textbooks for this course. Each of the books employs case
method. Please be aware that you need to read the cases carefully and be prepared to
discuss the role of any of the principal characters in the case.
Leadership Without Easy Answers, Ronald Heifetz
How Good People Make Tough Choices, Rushworth Kidder
Leading at the Edge, Dennis Perkins
There will also be a few supplemental readings and lecture notes that have been
downloaded to the course home page.
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Reading Assignments:
It is assumed that you will read all the assigned readings by their due date. The readings
will be crucial to your response to discussion questions. In addition to the texts, there will
be lecture notes posted in the unit of study itself, which are required reading. Please
note: you should try to complete the readings AT LEAST A DAY BEFORE the end of each
unit to ensure that you are able to participate in the threaded discussion (if you chose to).
This will allow time for your fellow classmates to reply to your posts.
Threaded Discussions (Each discussion worth 2% of your grade, 12% total)
Starting in UNIT TWO each class member will be assigned to a discussion
group. Over the course of each unit (excluding units one and fifteen) you will be
expected to respond to the threaded discussion questions. YOU MUST PARTICIPATE
IN THREE DISCUSSIONS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEMESTER
(UNITS 2-7) AND THREE DISCUSSIONS DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THE
SEMESTER (UNITS 8-14). The discussion questions for each unit will be found under
each unit heading on the course home page and will be labeled “discussion.” Think of it
as akin to an in-class discussion with some differences:



You don't have to worry about being interrupted
You have time to consult your sources
You can frame your contribution and your replies to others with careful thought
and deliberation
Threaded discussions will REQUIRE you to post answers to discussion questions that are
based on the readings. You will also be REQUIRED to respond to the other students’
postings in your discussion group. You will only be able to view the responses of your
group members. New discussion groups will be formed after unit seven so that you will
have a chance to work with other class members. Each threaded discussion that you
participate in is worth four points. You may earn up to 2 points for content and 2 points
for participation as follows:
Content Assessment Skills:

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
2 points: Demonstrates excellence in grasping the key concepts; critiques work of
others based on application of knowledge from resources and not just personal
opinion; readily offers new interpretations of discussion materials
1.5 points: Shows evidence of understanding most of concepts; is able to show
basic level of support for opinions; offers an occasional divergent viewpoint
1 point: Has mostly a superficial grasp of the material; rarely takes a stand on
issues; offers no thoughtful response to other students
.5 point: Shows no significant understanding of material
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Online Participation Skills:




2 points: Contribution is prompt, timely, and relevant; remarks are posted
frequently responding to other students; there is no attempt to dominate the
conversation
1.5 points: Student is timely and responds to at least one student thoughtfully
1 point: Student is timely and offers short contributions and responses to other
students
.5 point: Student is timely and makes short, irrelevant remarks in either student's
contribution or reply to another student
Late Postings to Discussions: No points will be awarded for postings made after the
final due date noted on the Threaded Discussion page itself.
Papers
You will be responsible for 3 papers during the course: 2 short papers (film critiques)
and 1 research paper.
Film Critiques: (each 24% of your grade)
This class assignment will require you to watch two films and write two short papers in
which you apply the concepts and theories from our textbooks to the films (you will
chose from the lists below).
The films listed below deal with a moral dilemma or leadership challenge. For example,
the film Insomnia focuses on a homicide detective who is under investigation for
tampering with crime scene evidence. The plot examines the questions: did he do it; and
if he did, why did he?
In this assignment you should select a film that examines a character in a leadership role
or a character facing a moral dilemma in the public or nonprofit sector. If you want to
select a film that is not on the attached list, make sure that I approve before you view it.
You will review the film and then write a critique of no more than six double-spaced
pages. Do not focus your critique on summarizing the entire film. I know what the plot is.
Rather, in your critique you should focus on the most critical scenes that reveal the nature
of the moral dilemma or leadership challenge being portrayed (example questions are
listed below and sample papers can be found on the course home page). Examine closely
the position of specific characters and how they justify their actions or positions.
You will be required to choose two of the following three paper assignments. Each paper
should be double-spaced and should not exceed six type written pages.
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Short Paper One:
DUE February 25 by Midnight (MDT)
You should choose a movie from the following list and apply Perkins’ 10 principles of
leadership to a character and/or situation in the movie. You should be able to find most
of these movies at any video rental, including your local library.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Apollo 12
Constant Gardner
Erin Brockovich
Hotel Rwanda
North Country
Patton
Saving Private Ryan
Schindler’s List
For example, if you choose to watch "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) you would apply the
theories found in Perkins by asking the following questions (you may apply these same
questions to characters/situations in the any of the films listed above):
In the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, did Captain John Miller demonstrate the ten
strategies that Perkins identifies for leading at the edge? Which of the ten strategies does
he most exemplify? Are then any of the ten strategies that he does not demonstrate? If
so, how might have using those strategies have made him a more effective leader?
Short Paper Two:
DUE April 1 by Midnight (MDT)
This paper requires you to choose a film including a moral dilemma. You should
consider the nature of the dilemma and the resolution principle(s) used to resolve it. You
should be guided by Kidder’s analysis in approaching this critique. Be aware that many
films deal with more than one moral dilemma, or they deal with the same dilemma faced
by different characters. Be clear about whose dilemma you are examining. Please choose
from:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
All The President’s Men
A Time to Kill
Casablanca
Diary of Anne Frank
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Schindler’s List
The Emperor’s Club
The Quiet American
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For example, if you choose to watch "The Emperor's Club" (2002) you should be guided
by the following questions (you may apply these same questions to characters/situations
in the any of the films listed above):
In the movie "The Emperor's Club," did Hundert have a "right v. wrong" or "right v.
right" dilemma? What were the values at stake? What was the impact of the decision on
Hundert, the school, Bell and the other classmates? Was this a paradigm of "truth v.
loyalty," "individual v. community," "short term v. long term,” "justice v. mercy," or
some combination of these? Analyze the possible decisions that could have been made
using the ends based, rule based, and care based principles. Was there a trilemma option?
What decision would you have made and why?
Short Paper Three: DUE April 29 by Midnight (MDT)
The film critique will require you to discuss the “theory” of leadership that the film
seems to embrace (is this a leader who is trait-based, situational, transactional or
transformational?). What are the challenges that the leader faces and the strategies that he
or she employs? Then consider whether the leader was successful. This last part is
especially important, because you must consider what defines “success.” Be guided in
this by Heifetz’s discussion of value-based leadership. Please choose from the following
films:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
12 Angry Men
Gandhi
Good Night and Good Luck
Laurence of Arabia
Thirteen Days (JFK)
The Last Emperor
To Kill a Mockingbird
For example, if you choose to watch "Twelve Angry Men" (1957) you should apply the
theories found in Heifetz by asking following questions (you may apply these same
questions to characters/situations in the any of the films listed above):
In the movie “Twelve Angry Men”, whom would you identify as the leader of the group?
Is this leader faced with a Type I, Type II, or Type III problem? Does this person lead
with or without authority and which of Heifetz’s strategies does he employ? How does
the jury foreman define his role and how does he respond to challenges to his authority?
What characteristics does Henry Fonda’s character demonstrate that show he is an
adaptive leader with informal authority (or formal with authority)?
Late Papers: You must turn each of the short papers in by their respective due date. For
every day any paper is late, the grade will be reduced by one full grade off the grade
given the paper. If one had an A on the paper, and it was filed 2 days late, the grade
would be a C.
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Research Paper (40% of your grade)
This class assignment requires you to complete a research paper. I would like you to have
a choice of what you focus on, so you may choose to complete one of the three
assignments listed below. A brief outline of your paper is due by midnight (MST) on
April 8th. The final paper is due by midnight (MST) on May 6th.
1. Historical Case Study
If you choose this assignment you will write a case study of a specific critical
leadership and/or ethical incident in the life of some well-known public figure. You
will write this in the form of a case study. For example, the case of Truman deciding to
drop atomic bombs on Japan OR THE CASE OF President Carter trying to forge a
Middle East Peace Agreement at Camp David. Your case study should be based on at
least three sources, including one biography if possible (documentaries also accepted).
After reading your chosen books, focus in on a specific critical incident. DO NOT
SUMMARIZE THIS INDIVIDUAL’S ENTIRE CAREER, BUT PROVIDE ENOUGH
BACKGROUND TO GET US TO THE CRITICAL INCIDENT THAT YOU HAVE
CHOOSEN TO FOCUS ON. If possible, choose an incident that involved an adaptive
challenge as Heifetz defines it. You may also choose to apply Perkins' strategies to a
leadership challenge or Kidder’s model to a moral dilemma that an individual faced.
However, it is important that you focus on ONE incident.
Your paper may not exceed 15 double-spaced pages. Use appropriate scholarly
citations for all sources with footnote or endnotes. Be sure that all quoted materials are
set off with quotation marks and full citation of source. Quoted materials not so
indicated will be treated as plagiarism (see below).
2. Personal Case Study
In this assignment you will write a personal case study that relates either to an incident
in which you served in a leadership position or in which you faced an ethical dilemma
in the organization in which you work. In the past, some students who have chosen this
assignment have written about an incident in which they were a whistleblower calling
attention to some unethical behavior by their organization or a specific manager.
Alternatively, you could write a case involving leadership and/or ethics in your
organization in which you were involved, but not as the leader. For example, you may
have worked as an assistant to an individual who dealt successfully with a difficult
leadership challenge.
Use this assignment as an opportunity to reflect on your own behavior. Did you or the
leaders involved have alternatives? Why did you or they choose a specific course of
action? What were the consequences? What style of leadership (e.g., following Heifetz
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argument) or model of ethic reasoning (e.g., following Kidder’s argument) seemed to
be employed?
If you choose to do this assignment, make sure that you speak with me early enough so
that we can clarify and agree on what you will focus on. Your case study should not
exceed 15 double-spaced pages.
3. Comparison of Leadership Texts
The third option for a final paper requires you to find and read another book on
leadership. After reading the book you should write a paper that compares Perkins,
Heifetz, and the book you chose. You should focus on the similarities and differences
between the three texts. In doing so, you should critique each of the texts. You should
also consider which author/strategies you find most applicable to your leadership
experience and which you find least helpful. In addition, you might consider whether
certain authors/strategies are more applicable in certain situations than in others.
Your paper may not exceed 15 double-spaced pages. Use appropriate scholarly
citations for all sources with footnote or endnotes. Be sure that all quoted materials are
set off with quotation marks and full citation of source. Quoted materials not so
indicated will be treated as plagiarism (see below).
Late Papers: For every day any paper is late, the grade will be reduced by one full grade
off the grade given the paper. If one had an A on the paper, and it was filed 2 days late,
the grade would be a C.
Policy on Plagiarism
I randomly check 10 percent of all papers turned in for plagiarism. This is generally
defined as incorporating words or ideas from an outside information source into one’s
written work without acknowledging the original source of the words or ideas; that is,
creating the impression that the words or/and the ideas are the student’s rather than those
of the source from which they have been taken. The best way to avoid committing
plagiarism is to carefully note the citation to all sources of outside information that are
being used in preparation of the research paper, and then to use these citations to
carefully reference all of these outside sources whenever a direct quote or well-defined
substance of a concept or principle from that information is being incorporated into a
paper. For more details on avoiding plagiarism, see the following website:
http://www.csub.edu/ssric-trd/howto/plagiarism.htm
Any paper that exhibits plagiarism will be given the grade of “F”. A memo will also
be placed in the student’s academic file noting this violation. This note will be removed
after one year if no further incidents occur.
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Tips on Writing an Effective Case
I realize that most of you have limited, if any, experience writing cases. Here are
some suggestions on how to proceed, but please feel free to pursue other approaches if
you feel that they work with the materials and issues you are dealing with.
• Be clear about the issue(s) you are trying to focus on in the case. Many cases pose
multiple issues, but it’s good to keep the central one in mind. For example, if you
were writing about the new Denver International Airport you could focus on the city's
relations with the airlines, with other local governments, with the federal government,
etc. It's much easier to decide that—"I'm writing a case about local intergovernmental `relations in connection with the airport"—since this allows you to
focus your research as well as your writing.
• Be clear about the principal stakeholders. It's much easier for someone to follow a
case if you've identified the principal stakeholders (either individuals or groups) early
on, described their interests and then followed how they interacted to arrive at some
decision.
• Be clear about the structure of issues and critical decision points. Every case has a
dramatic story line. You need to understand and communicate this story. Be
especially aware of critical turning points, especially decision points. For example, in
the DIA case, at the beginning the various sides are polarized and ready to sue one
another; then there is a change in attitude which makes a negotiated agreement
possible, but there are significant political costs in attempting to push such an
agreement. The dramatic point in the case is the question about whether all sides will
actually sign-off on an agreement.
• Use supplemental materials to help explain technical points. It often helps the reader's
comprehension if technical issues are elaborated in attachments to the case. For
example, if you were writing a case about Denver's light rail, you might want to
include an attachment which showed estimated construction and operating costs—if
these were things mentioned in the text of the case. Or if you were discussing
DURA's decision to expand its jurisdiction into lower downtown, a map would be a
useful way of showing the area involved.
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Grading
Threaded Discussions
Short Paper One
Short Paper Two
Final Paper
A
AB+
B
BC
F
24 points
48 points
48 points
80 points
200 points
188-200 points
180-187 points
176-179 points
168-175 points
160-167 points
140-159 points
below 140 points
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COURSE SCHEDULE
Unit One:
Course Introduction
January 16 – January 21
Reading Assignment:
 Lecture Notes under Unit One
Writing Assignment:
 Introduce Yourself to the Class under the “Introductions” Tab in Unit One
(not graded)
Unit Two:
Introduction to Leadership
January 22- January28
Reading Assignment:
 Perkins p. 1-14
 Lecture Notes under Unit Two
Writing Assignment:
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14). You will be assigned to a discussion group for the first half of
the semester and a second discussion group for the second half of the
semester. This requirement is a graded requirement (please see syllabus).
You may opt to participate in more than 6 total discussions, but it is not
required.
Unit Three: Perkins Strategies 1-3
Reading Assignment:
January 29 – February 4
 Perkins p. 15-55
 Lecture Notes under Unit Three
Writing Assignment:
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
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Unit Four:
Perkins Strategies 4-7
February 5 – February 11
Reading Assignment:
 Perkins p. 56-112
 Lecture Notes under Unit Four
Writing Assignment:
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
Unit Five:
Perkins Strategies 8-10
February 12 – February 18
Reading Assignment:
 Lecture Notes under Unit Five
Writing Assignment:
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
Unit Six:
Introduction to Ethics
February 19 – February 25
Reading Assignment:
 Lecture Notes under Unit Six
Writing Assignment:
 FIRST FILM CRITIQUE DUE February 25 by midnight MST –
Remember, you must choose to do 2 out of 3 assigned film critiques (see
syllabus)
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
11
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
Unit Seven: Kidder and Ethical Fitness
Reading Assignment:
February 26 – March 4
 Kidder p. 13-108
 Lecture Notes under Unit Seven
Writing Assignment:
 NEW DISCUSSION GROUP ASSIGNED: You have the option of
participating in this week’s discussion questions. Remember, you are
required to participate in 6 discussions over the course of the semester -- 3
discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2 – unit 7) and 3
discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 – unit 14).
Unit Eight:
Kidder’s Paradigms
March 5 – March 11
Reading Assignment:
 Kidder p. 109-150
 Lecture Notes under Unit Eight
Writing Assignment:
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
Unit Nine:
Kidder’s Resolution Principles
March 12 – March 18
Reading Assignment:
 Kidder p. 151-208
 Lecture Notes under Unit Nine
Writing Assignment:
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
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NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
March 19-25
Unit Ten:
Heifetz: Leadership on a Razor’s Edge
March 26 – April 1
Reading Assignment:
 Heifetz p. 1-66
 Lecture Notes under Unit Ten
Writing Assignment:
 SECOND FILM CRITIQUE DUE April 1 by midnight MST –
Remember, you must choose to do 2 out of 3 assigned film critiques (see
syllabus)
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
Unit Eleven Heifetz: Leadership With Authority
April 2 – April 8
Reading Assignment:
 Heifetz p. 67-180
 Lecture Notes under Unit Eleven
Writing Assignment:
 ABSTRACT – 1 to 2 paragraph description of final paper (this may be an
e-mail)
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
Unit Twelve: Heifetz: Leadership Without Authority
April 9 – April 15
Reading Assignment:
 Heifetz p. 181-232
 Lecture Notes under Unit Twelve
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Writing Assignment:
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
Unit Thirteen: Heifetz: Taking Care of Yourself
April 16 – April 22
Reading Assignment:
 Heifetz p. 233-276
 Lecture Notes under Unit Thirteen
Writing Assignment:
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
Unit Fourteen: Course Wrap up
April 23 – April 29
Reading Assignment:
 Lecture Notes under Unit Fourteen
Writing Assignment:
 THIRD FILM CRITIQUE DUE April 29 by midnight MST –
Remember, you must choose to do 2 out of 3 assigned film critiques (see
syllabus)
 You have the option of participating in this week’s discussion questions.
Remember, you are required to participate in 6 discussions over the course
of the semester -- 3 discussions during the first half of the semester (unit 2
– unit 7) and 3 discussions during the second half of the semester (unit 8 –
unit 14).
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Unit Fifteen
Final Paper Due
April 30 – May 6
Reading Assignment:
 NO READING ASSIGNMENT
Writing Assignment:
 Final Paper Due May 6 by midnight MST
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