LEADERSHIP AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES LEADERSHIP 102-01 - FALL 2009 INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Crystal Hoyt OFFICE HOURS: WED. 11AM-12:30 PM & by appt. EMAIL: [email protected] OFFICE LOCATION: Jepson 132 PHONE: 804-287-6825 COURSE TIME AND LOCATION: Tuesday, Thursday 10:30-11:45am, Jepson Hall 107 COURSE WEBSITE: http://blackboard.richmond.edu READINGS: The readings for this course consist of a mix of empirical social science articles and more popular readings based on social science research. Most of the readings will be available through BlackBoard. In addition to those readings, two books are assigned for this course. The readings may change slightly and other readings may be assigned during the semester. The assigned readings provide the background and context for classroom lecture and discussion, therefore, you should read the readings before the class period during which they are discussed.  Gladwell, M. (2008). Outliers. New York: Little Brown.  Ariely, D. (2008). Predictably Irrational. New York, NY: Harper Collins. DESCRIPTION AND GOALS OF THE COURSE: This course is designed to introduce you to the study of leadership through theoretical and empirical explorations of social interaction. Using findings from a variety of the social sciences (e.g., economics, political science, sociology, psychology…) we will explore questions central to an understanding of leadership: Why is leadership so important to us? Are leaders born or made? What drives overconfidence, irrational thought, and self-serving biases? How do people regulate their behavior and self-presentation? What is the role of emotions in human behavior and leadership? Why do people obey authority? How does power impact people? What are the fundamentals of persuasion and social influence? What is so important about being treated fairly by a leader? Is leadership a real phenomenon or is it just in the eye of the beholder? How do expectations and stereotypes impact how we perceive leaders? How do hierarchical societies persist? Thus, the ultimate goal of the course is to advance your understanding of leadership through an increased appreciation of the rich complexities of human behavior. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Your grade in the course will be determined by performance on the following course requirements: 1. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: You will be required to write two papers this semester. The first paper is due October 9th. The second paper is due on the last day of class. Details for each assignment will be provided in the course. 2. EXAMINATIONS: There will be two exams in this course, one midterm and one cumulative final. The exams will cover information from both in-class discussions and reading assignments. 3. ACTIVITIES AND RESEARCH PARTICIPATION: We will engage in a variety of activities throughout the semester. For example, students will be asked to attend some Jepson events that occur outside of class time, to lead class discussions, and to participate in and/or attend local presentations of research.2 4. CLASS PARTICIPATION: This course is predicated on the active participation of all members. You are expected to attend all classes, arrive on time, and fully engage in discussions and activities. The emphasis is on quality of class participation rather than quantity. Each unexcused absence will penalize your final grade. The class discussions and activities are highly dependent upon the assigned reading for the day. You must come to class fully prepared to discuss the assigned readings. Inadequate class participation will lower your course grade. Makeup Exams and Paper Extension Policy: Only under extraordinary circumstances will a make-up exam be administered or will a late paper by accepted. When these extraordinary circumstances arise, a letter from the Dean is required. A paper turned in late without an acceptable excuse will be docked 10 percentage points for each day it is late. Makeup exams may take an alternative form to that taken by the rest of the class. ELEMENTS OF YOUR GRADE: Grades in this course will be based on your performance on the course requirements described above. Good performance on each assignment and exam is important to your overall success in this course. Final grades in the course will be based on the percentage of total points that you earn, according to the following cutoffs: Percentages for final grades: A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F 50-60% Utter humiliation < 50% Plus and minus grades are not shown but will be used HONOR CODE: Every piece or written work presented by individual students must have the honor pledge with the student’s signature on it. The pledge is: “I pledge that I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance during the completion of this work.” STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a verified disability and would like to discuss special academic accommodations, please contact me during the first week of class to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodations.3 Class Schedule and Reading Assignments Aug. 25 Introductions and all that jazz Aug. 27 Introducing social science approaches and methodology  Henslin, J. M. (2006). What is sociology? Comparing sociology to other social sciences. In J. M. Henslin (Ed.) Down to earth sociology (pp. 8-19). New York: Basic Books. Sept. 1 Introducing social science approaches and methodology, cont.  Aronson, E. (1999). Social psychology as science. In The social animal (chapter 9, pp. 427-435).  Jordan, C. H., & Zanna, M. P. (2004). How to read a journal article in social psychology. In H. T. Reis & C. E. Rusbult (Eds), Close relationships: Key readings (pp. 483-492). NY: Psych Press.  Helmreich, R., Aronson, E., & LeFan, J. (1970). To err is humanizing--sometimes: Effects of self-esteem, competence, and a pratfall on interpersonal attraction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 16, 259-264. Why do we need leaders? Sept. 3 Social animals: The need to belong and the need for leaders  Baumeister, R. F., Brewer, L. E., Tice, D. M., & Twenge, J. M. (2007). The need to belong: Understanding the interpersonal and inner effects of social exclusion. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1, 506-520.  Lipman-Blumen, J. (2005). Within ourselves: Psychological needs that make us seek leaders. Chapter 2 in The allure of