Code 23259
Level of study Second Year
Credit value 10
Semester 1
Pre-requisite modules Not applicable
Other pre-requisites Not applicable
This course is about Leadership. We explore what leadership is - and - the difference leadership makes and why. The course introduces and explains leadership theory – and presents and debates some of the key features and dynamics of leadership in a wide variety of ‘real life’ settings.
Objectives
By the end of the course
you will:
Have a better understanding of the key features and dynamics of leadership;
Have an understanding of the contribution academic theory makes to explaining the nature of leadership;
Be able to apply relevant theories and concepts from the academic literature when analysing leadership approaches;
Understand how leadership plays differently through different ‘real life’ settings;
Appreciate how a number of contemporary economic and societal challenges are influencing leadership
Have a better idea of the key contemporary debates and challenges for leadership at the beginning of the 21st century;
Be able to reflect critically on leadership ‘styles’ and approaches.
The course combines ‘mainstream’ and emerging thinking across business leadership studies, organisational studies, policy studies, urban and regional studies and sociology – along with vocational learning from the University of Birmingham’s own ‘applied’ leadership development programmes. Drawing also on case studies, we will explore and discuss the different leadership approaches that we see applied in practice at local, national and international level and across business, science & technology and innovation, economic development and urban regeneration, and governmental arenas.
On this module, a series of lectures are ‘blended’ with small group case study sessions – and students will also be allocated to small teams to work through a ‘self-directed’ leadership case simulation.