Unit outline_

CEMS6004: Global Leadership

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

This unit addresses how to lead in diverse and multicultural contexts. Students develop a keen sense of their individual strengths and biases and explore how these might enable them to become responsible global leaders. To situate this development, the unit turns to a key challenge for global leaders. To lead innovation means including heterogeneous perspectives, capabilities, and backgrounds. Innovation requires a less rule and more relationship-based approach, which makes it a special case for managing a diverse workforce in a complex environment. It also raises awareness of issues related to openness, sustainability, and inclusiveness for global leaders. Overall, the unit moves from personal perspectives on global leadership via leadership in teams and organizations to leading in networks.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Management Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CEMS6106
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator John Shields, john.shields@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) John Shields, john.shields@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment AI Allowed Personal Leadership Development Plan
Personal Leadership Development Plan
30% Week 05
Due date: 26 Mar 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 09 Apr 2025
2500 words of main text
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Assignment AI Allowed Weekly reading critiques
Upload 500 word critiques of each weekly reading, with best 3 assessed.
20% Week 12
Due date: 21 May 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 04 Jun 2025
1500 words of main text
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Oral test
? 
hurdle task
Interactive oral assessment
30 minute 1:1 case-based conversation with unit coordinator in w/c 26/5.
30% Week 13 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment AI Allowed Role play
In-class team-based role play
20% Weekly 30 minutes per team
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

The unit has 4 assessment items:

1. Personal leadership development plan (30%; 2500 words of main text): Prepare and submit a reflective plan for further development of your intrapersonal and interpersonal leadership competencies. You may use one or more of the permitted AI platforms to inform and refine your plan but you must also document and reflect on how you have done so.  See Canvas for advice on preparing your plan. Due: 26/3.

2. In-class team-based role play (20%): Each team is assigned to undertake one in-class role play during the semester,  with the class to provide feedback and the coordinator to assess the team's performance.

3. Weekly reading critiques  (20%; up to 500 words of main text per weekly reading; 1500 words of assessable text). Individual weekly submissions via the Padlet platform on Canvas. Select your best three weekly submissions for assessment.  Due: 21/5.

4. Interactive oral session - individual (30% hurdle item). This involves a 30 minute 1:1 case-based conversation with the unit coorbinator that allows you to demostrate the breadth and depth of your learning and reflection in the unit. Being a 'hurdle' task, you must pass this item in order to pass the unit, irrespective of marks achieved in other assessment items.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found under 'Assignments' on the unit Canvas site.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 No classes in this unit if Week1. Do preparatory reading for Week 2 and complete Clifton Strengths profile. Independent study (0.5 hr)  
Week 02 Welcome; unit introduction and expectations; What is 'global leadership'? (3/3) Block teaching (4 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 03 Self-leadership (10/3) Block teaching (4 hr) LO1
Week 04 Global leadership context and complexity (17/3) Block teaching (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 Values-based leadership (24/3) Block teaching (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 06 Leading global teams (31/3) Block teaching (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 07 Inclusive leadership (7/4) Block teaching (4 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 08 No class in this unit in Week 8 (14-25 April) Independent study (0.5 hr)  
Week 09 Cross-cultural leadership (28/4) Block teaching (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Indigenous leadership (5/5) Block teaching (4 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 11 Leadership communication (12/5) Block teaching (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 12 Leading organisational change and sustainability (19/5) Block teaching (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 30 minute interactive oral with each student (week commencing 26/5) Block teaching (0.5 hr) LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes and attandance records will be maintained. Consistent with the approach adopted in other units offered at CBD campus, classes are not recorded. However, PDFs of lecture content will be posted on Canvas. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Weekly readings for this unit can be accessed in e-form via the 'Reading List' folder on the unit Canvas site. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Assess your leadership strengths, biases and development needs against models validated by research and apply this understanding to your leadership development.
  • LO2. Describe an integrative framework for global leadership derived from course materials.
  • LO3. Formulate, present and debate a research-informed position on a contentious leadership proposition.
  • LO4. Analyse global leadership issues taking into account cultural context, business context and individual differences and capabilities of leaders and followers.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In line with feedback provided by the previous student cohort, this iteration of the unit affords students greater opportunity to contribute to and lead class discussion, presentations and debates.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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