Course Descriptions

Major and Minor Requirements
Course syllabi
Online catalog

LDST 101
Foundations of Leadership Studies
General introduction to and analysis of historical and current theories of leadership. Study of leadership as social process involving interaction of leaders and followers in different contexts; examination of critical thinking, ethics, and methods of inquiry as they pertain to process and study of leadership; general analysis of leadership competencies, such as leading groups and individuals.
No prerequisite
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 205
Justice and Civil Society
Exploration of contemporary society and understandings of justice. Readings on civil society, theories of justice, and analysis of poverty and related socio-economic problems. Includes a service learning component with critical reflection on community service to populations in need.
(Prior to Spring 2005, course was LDSP 205 Service to Society.)
Prerequisite: Leadership Studies 101.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 250
Critical Thinking
Examination of knowledge and argumentation as they pertain to leadership. Analysis of scientific methodology and logic, language and interpretation, and their influence on study and practice of leadership.
(Prior to fall 2005, course was LDSP 301 Critical Thinking.)
Prerequisites: Leadership Studies 101 and admission to the Jepson School of Leadership Studies as a major or minor.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 251
Group Dynamics
Introduction to scientific study of group processes through vocabulary, concepts, theories, and research. Both classic and contemporary theories and research are presented. Emphasis on both theoretical and applied components of group dynamics.
(Prior to spring 2005: course was LDSP 351 Leading Groups.)
Prerequisites: Leadership Studies 101 and admission to the Jepson School of Leadership Studies as a major or minor.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 300
Theories and Models of Leadership
Examination of theories and models in leadership studies. Course introduces the role of theory in science and both classic and contemporary leadership theories/models are presented. Emphasis on critical analysis of theoretical perspectives. 
(Prior to fall 2005: course was LDSP 300 History and Theories of Leadership.)
Prerequisites: Leadership Studies 101, 250 and 251 and admission to the Jepson School of Leadership Studies as a major or minor.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 302
Leadership in Organizations
Focus on leadership theory and research within and across formal organization settings such as public/private, profit/nonprofit, professional/nonprofessional, and unitary/multidivisional. Examination of rational, natural, and open systems and how leadership differs in each system.   Leadership Studies majors and minors may substitute Management Systems 330 Organization Behavior for Leadership Studies 302.
Prerequisite: Leadership Studies 300.
3 sem. hrs.

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LDST 303
Leadership in Political Contexts
Informal and formal processes by which power and authority are exercised and leadership is selected within political systems in various settings. Examination of leadership in basic processes and institutions of government through case study of legislative issues.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 304
Leadership in Social Movements
Exploration of history of leadership in social movements. Comparison and contrast of forms, mechanisms, and practices of leadership in various stages of a social movement.  Examination of values of leaders as expressed through stories of ordinary people involved in leadership in social movements.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 305
Leadership in Community and Volunteer Organizations
Examination of leadership in nonprofit sector organizations ranging from United Way to small neighborhood associations. Differentiation of leadership roles within organizations by structure, size, membership, and mission. Examination of responsibility for leadership as it pertains to voluntary organizations.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 306
Leadership in Cultural and Historical Contexts
Analysis of impact of larger contextual factors on the process of leadership. Exploration of role of long-term social, political, economic, and intellectual forces, as well as the influence of cultural norms and values. Emphasis on application to actual leadership situations.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 307
Leadership in International Contexts
Comparative study of leadership in other cultures and in cross-cultural organizations. Topics include cultural and ethical influences on leadership, the relationship between leaders and followers in other cultures and problems of cross-cultural leadership.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 353
Leadership and Motivation
Examination and evaluation of theories of human motivation as they apply to leadership. Application of motivation principles to leadership situations through case analysis, simulation, and role play. Analysis of concepts of needs theory, reinforcement theory, and cognitive theory of motivation in specific contextual settings.
Prerequisite:Leadership Studies 300.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 354
Conflict Resolution
Understanding principles and dynamics of achieving workable unity. Discussion of negotiating techniques and ethical issues related to use of such techniques by leaders. Use of simulations and exercises to practice skills for resolving conflicts.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 356
Leading Change
Examines theories, concepts and processes of leadership and change in several contexts including organizational, community, political, and societal.  Focuses on the purpose or reason for leading change in social structures, human conditions, dominant ideas, or prevailing practices using theoretical and experiential approaches.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 357
Analyzing and Making Policy
Examination of leadership in analysis, making, and conduct of policy.  Analysis of choices, roles, and moral dimensions involved in cycle of policy. Comparison of policy making and leadership in different contexts.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 358
Communicating and Leading
Explores characteristics of competent leadership communication (in terms of both knowledge and skills) in a variety of situations, including dyadic, group, organizational, and extra-organizational contexts. Stresses interdependence of leader-follower communication, and roles and functions of messages and message activity (for example, message sending, interpreting, creating, and storing) in the leadership process.
Prerequisite: Leadership Studies 300.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 378
Statesmanship
Focus on statesmanship through historical and biographical case studies of such figures as the American Founders, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. Will also seek to understand ways in which constitutional, legal, and political institutions can encourage, thwart, or direct leadership on a grand political scale.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 379
Reason, Rhetoric, and Leadership
Consideration of the relationship between rhetoric and leadership. Focus will be on such examples as Thucydide's History of the Peloponnesian War, the Declaration of Independence, The Federalist Papers, and the oratory of Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill.
3 sem. hrs. 

LDST 386
Leadership in a Diverse Society
Focuses on historical and contemporary issues concerning the role, responsibility, and process of leadership in diverse communities, organizations, or groups. Students use readings, projects, and class exercises to examine leadership in diverse settings and in the classroom.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 387
Leadership and Religious Values
Study of how persons draw, directly and indirectly, on their religious based moral convictions as they lead and serve in various spheres of pluralistic, public life. Focus on appropriate role(s) of religion in politics, the workplace, schools and universities, and civic organizations. (See Religion 370).
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 389
Research Methods
In depth examination of various research methods used in leadership studies. Consideration of issues associated with design of studies, collection of various kinds of data, writing research proposals and reports, and analysis of data.
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 390
Selected Topics
Topics developed by Jepson School faculty, visiting faculty, or faculty in other schools of the University that address particular issues in leadership studies. Examples may include Strategic Leadership and Contemporary Moral Issues.
Prerequisite: Varies depending on topic.
3 sem. hrs.

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LDST 399
Junior Honors Tutorial
Juniors accepted to honors track (in fall of junior year) work with Jepson faculty members in this spring tutorial to develop thesis proposal and preliminary bibliography to be accepted by the course instructor and a Jepson Faculty thesis advisor.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to honors track.
1 sem. hr.

LDST 450
Ethics and Leadership
Study of how moral values and assumptions shape concepts and practice of leadership. Includes role of values in determining moral obligations of leaders and followers, in shaping moral environments, and in policy making and vision.
(Prior to fall 2005, course was LDSP 350 Ethics and Leadership.)
Prerequisites: Leadership Studies 300 .
3 sem. hrs.

LDST 488
Internship
Applied experience in field of leadership studies and accompanying seminar. Observations of leaders in government, corporate or nonprofit settings. Majors only. May not be taken prior to spring semester of junior year.
Prerequisite: Departmental Approval.
3 sem. hrs.

Independent Study

Independent study refers to special projects pursued individually under supervision of a Jepson faculty member. Jepson recognizes two types of independent study projects: student initiated and collaborative.

LDST 490
Student Initiated Independent Study allows students to pursue research on their own topic of interest under the supervision of a faculty member. Student initiated independent study proposals must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at least two weeks before the beginning of classes for the semester in which the independent study is to take place. The student initiated independent research experience will culminate in a final written product.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval. 1-6 sem. Hrs.

LDST 491
Collaborative Independent Study provides students with the opportunity to conduct research collaboratively with a Jepson faculty member on a project of theoretical or methodological importance to the faculty member’s program of research. Collaborative independent research must involve more than providing research assistance to an ongoing project; rather, the student must take responsibility for conducting original research of scholarly value. Collaborative independent research will be grounded in rigorous methods appropriate to the discipline in which the student is working and will culminate in a final written product.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
1-6 sem. hrs.

LDST 492
Directed Study
Group reading and research in a specified area of leadership studies under faculty supervision.
Prerequisite: Departmental Approval.
3 sem. hrs.

LDSP 495-496
Senior Thesis I and II
Year-long engagement in independent research project under supervision of faculty advisor.
Prerequisites: Departmental Approval
3-3 sem. hrs.

LDST 497-498
Senior Honors Thesis I and II
Year-long engagement in independent research to produce
written thesis worthy of honors in leadership studies. See description of Jepson honors track for further details.
Prerequisites: Leadership 399 and commitment of a faculty thesis advisor are required to register for 497; in December of senior year, upon oral presentation of research and proposal, Jepson faculty verifies permission to enroll in 498.
3-3 sem. hrs.

Recent New and Special Topics Courses

LDST 390-03: Community and the Political and Social Order
This course will explore a widespread perception: that in the past generation, America has witnessed a marked decline in the bonds and values of civil society. To some social critics, the evidence is all around us: in the eroding respect for institutions of authority that used to lend stability to American life; in the decline in civic participation at all levels of government; in the reluctance of citizens to put themselves forward as community leaders. Is the criticism accurate? Is the erosion of civil society a serious problem that the next generation of American leaders must attempt to correct, or is it an illusion, reflecting nostalgia rather than reality? In examining this question, the course will study contemporary critics such as Robert Putnam and Francis Fukuyama, considering their arguments and some of the rebuttals; dip into classic writings on community and authority, from Aristotle and Edmund Burke to Ayn Rand; and examine community and authority in other times and places: America during the 1950s and the early 20th century; Victorian England; and the dramatically different culture of Japan. Finally, we will consider the current American political system, and ask which arrangements of community and authority make for a healthy public realm.

LDST 390-01: Presidential Leadership (cross-listed with Psych 449)
A study of theories of presidential leadership and assessments of several presidencies, including those of George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.  We address the personal qualities and capacities as well as the situational and historical contingencies that influence the effectiveness of various presidencies.  We also consider the nature of social perception and its role in appraisals of presidential performance.  Special attention will be given to presidential campaigning and presidential debates.  Each student will undertake the study of one or more presidents. 

LDST 390-02: Leadership and Literature: Fiction & the Moral Imagination 
This course begins its inquiry with Plato's attack on poetry in the Republic and goes on to consider responses to it, ranging from the sixteenth century to the twentieth. Why did Plato consider poets and other "imitators" a threat to the morality of the citizens and rulers of the state? Can literature lead people astray? And, if so, how? Is making fiction tantamount to lying? What is the function of literature, beyond entertainment? How do we gauge the influence of art—on individual as well as social life? After using the debates surrounding Plato's text to establish the terms of our discussion, we will examine more recent thoughts on the matter by looking at excerpts from both philosophical and literary-critical texts by Jean-Paul Sartre, Lionel Trilling, Iris Murdoch, Richard Rorty, and Martha Nussbaum, among others. Because of our focus on the novel as a genre, we will be particularly concerned with the potential for narrative literature to both shape the moral imagination and contribute to ethical discourse. Other themes and topics will include, but not be limited to: the relationship between public & private spheres; politics, history, & personal life; institutional change versus self-transformation; and responsibility versus freedom. Primary texts will be chosen from among the following (depending somewhat on participants): Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852); Orwell, 1984 (1949); Thomas, The White Hotel (1981); Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984); Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale (1986); Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day (1989); Allison, Bastard Out of Carolina (1992); McEwan, Atonement (2001).

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