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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University

BBUS 3671: Contemporary Leadership

In this competency-based, paced course, students examine the relationship between leadership and management, explore the attributes of a good leader, and focus on developing their own leadership style. Attention is given to analyzing leadership stories, identifying relationships and connections and examining the level of alignment between organizational and personal values. Students are required to apply theoretical concepts to workplace, community or volunteer experiences.

Learning outcomes

  • Examine what it means to be a leader.
  • Capture the leadership stories that influence your philosophy.
  • Study the web of relationships in which you act as a leader.
  • Analyze the link between personal and organizational values.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ethical leadership.
  • Develop your own personal statement of leadership.
  • Demonstrate how you move your philosophy to action.
  • Create a plan for your own leadership development.

Course topics

  • The Nature of Leadership
  • Theory and Practise of Leadership
  • The Relationship between Managing and Leading; Key Leadership Attributes
  • The Significant Role of Storytelling As It Relates to Leadership
  • Leadership Stories in Your Organization
  • Communication and Practice of Organizational Values
  • Leading from Within
  • Assess the Congruence between Personal Values and Organizational Values
  • The Interplay between Leadership and Followership
  • Your Role in the Web of Relationships at Work
  • Ethical Leadership and Ethical Decision Making
  • Building Community in Your Organization; Leadership Equals Change - Taking Risks

Required text and materials

The following materials are required for this course:

  1. Hughes R. L., Curphy, G. J., Ginnett, R. C. (2022). Leadership: Enhancing the lessons of experience (10th ed)., McGraw-Hill.
    Type: Textbook. ISBN:  9781264616534
  2. Kouzes, J.M. & Posner, B.Z. (2023) The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations (7th ed) Jossey Bass Inc. 
    Type: Textbook. ISBN: 978-1-119-73612-7 

Students require the following e-textbook, which can be purchased directly from the link at: https://tru-store.vitalsource.com/products/introduction-to-leadership-concepts-and-practice-peter-g-northouse-v9781071963142 

  1. Northouse, P. (2024). Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice. (6th ed)., SAGE Publications. 
    Type: E-Textbook: ISBN: 9781071963142

Students will need to source the following e-textbook on their own:

  1. Yukl, G. (2020). Pearson eText for Leadership in Organizations (9th ed.).  
    Type: E-Textbook. ISBN: 9780134895314 
    https://console.pearson.com/enrollment/kjkucd

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the mandatory final major project.

Assignment 1 20%
Assignment 2 20%
Assignment 3 20%
Discussion forums 10%
Mandatory Final Major Project 30%
Total 100%

Open Learning Faculty Member Information

An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.

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