!"!LEADERSHIP AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES LDST 102 Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Faier (Liz) Office Hours: Wed. 10:00-11:30 & by appt. Email: [email protected] Office Location: Jepson Hall 233 Phone: x6045 Course Locations: Section 2; TR 9-10:15 AM; WSTN 306 Section 3; TR 12:1:15 PM; WSTN 306 Section 6; TR 1:30-2:45 PM; WSTN 205 Blackboard: http://blackboard.richmond.edu Blog: TBA COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is designed to introduce you to the study of leadership through theoretical and empirical explorations of social interaction, the individual, and society. Readings draw from the social sciences including anthropology, communications, economics, political science, psychology, and sociology. Throughout the semester we will not only examine the ways in which the social sciences study leadership but also seek ways to apply foundational theoretical approaches and empirical studies to leadership problems and questions. Course topics and questions include: Is leadership universal? How do power and authority differ from leadership? In what ways do leadership communicate? Does gender affect leadership behaviors? How does leadership operate in different environments such as groups and organizations? Are there modern and traditional forms of leadership? Is leadership a form of social organization? How does social structure constrain or enable leadership? Do ideas of the self or society affect the practice of leadership? Are leaders distinct personalities? How do ascribed and achieved leadership systems differ? Is leadership genetic or hereditary? In addition to these questions, we will examine how different disciplines frame leadership questions, generate theories, and use methodologies to conduct and analyze research. Active, thoughtful, and critical participation is both expected and required in this course. As a student you will have opportunity to further your academic and scholarly skills in a number of areas including creative thought, moral imagination, communication, information technology, and research. Please note that while you might develop leadership skills along the way, this course is not a skills development class. COURSE OBJECTIVES Through course readings, activities, assignments, and discussions that focus on the social scientific study of leadership, this course aims to: • advance your understanding of leadership through an increased appreciation of the rich complexities of human behavior, • review social science empirical studies and literature on leadership, • illuminate how different social sciences frame research questions and employ distinct methodologies in the empirical study of leadership, and • utilize social science theories and studies within our own inquiries into leadership.!#!COURSE READING MATERIALS Course readings include primary and secondary materials from a range of social science disciplines not limited to anthropology, sociology, political science, psychology, communications, and technology studies. Some of the readings are theoretical discussions while others are empirical studies; students are expected to consider the linkages between these materials. Throughout the term, I will revise the schedule of readings in order to optimize the learning experience. Even if we do not cover a particular reading or all its parts in class discussions, you are responsible for knowing that reading. If you have questions, raise them in class or come to see me individually. It is impossible to cover every aspect of reading assignments – the readings should be viewed as a jumping off point for discussions rather than the content of a class session. REQUIRED TEXTS: • Fear of Small Numbers, Arjun Appadurai, Duke University Press (2006) http://www.cjsonline.ca/reviews/geoganger.html (if you want to see a book review) • Reserve Readings (on Blackboard or hyperlinked in the schedule) • Daily Newspaper or some other news source so you are aware of major contemporary world and national events • Other texts to be determined as semester progresses COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING !WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS 35% You will have 2 papers to write this term. Details for each assignment will be provided in the course. Papers are due either before your class session (blackboard) and/or in class. Late and/or short papers will not be accepted; I will not accept any sort of submission if you did not attend class that day. Paper 1 is due September 28; Paper 2 is due November 18. PARTICIPATION, REACTION PAPERS, ACTIVITIES , QUIZZES 25% Participation includes leading classes, actively contributing substance to discussions, introducing materials, and actively taking part in all class activities. It is not “attendance” although absences & tardies will negatively impact the grade. Homework, reaction papers, and activities are assignments given through the term, usually short writing or response assignments based on experiments and/or outside events. We will discuss this further in class. EXAMINATIONS (MIDTERM AND FINAL) 40% Students will have both midterm and final exams. The midterm will be October 14; the final will be take-home. POLICIES ATTENDANCE The attendance policy is simple: attend and attend on time. Class discussion depends on students coming to class and coming to class well prepared. Think of class like taking the bus – if you arrive late and the bus stop is empty (or, the door is closed), then the bus has left (and thus, class has started so please do not enter late).!$!HONOR CODE The Jepson School supports and adheres to the provisions of the Honor System as sanctioned by the School of Arts and Sciences. Every piece of written work in this course much have the word, “pledged” along with the student’s signature, signifying the following: “I pledge that I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance during the completion of this work.” LATE WORK I will not accept late work except under the most exceptional conditions. I will not accept assignments if students do not attend or come late to class. MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS AND PAPER EXTENSIONS As with all late work, only under the most extraordinary circumstances will a make-up exam be administered or a paper deadline extended. When these circumstances do arise, a letter from the Dean will be required in order to arrange an alternate date. Without an excuse, a late paper will lose 10% for each day it is