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Unit of study_

GOVT6313: Leadership in Theory and Practice

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The leader points the way.' - Eleanor Roosevelt. Leadership is a story that resolves these questions: What is a leader What kinds of leaders are there Is democratic leadership different from other kinds Is leadership in a local community similar to that in national politics or international politics Are leaders made or born Is leadership generic Is it the same in Europe and Asia What is the difference between a leader and a manager This unit reviews and evaluates theories of leadership. Participants' experiences and perceptions of leadership are an important part of the unit.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GOVT6313
Academic unit Government and International Relations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Assel Mussagulova, assel.mussagulova@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Assel Mussagulova, assel.mussagulova@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Reflective journal
n/a
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 03 Jun 2024 at 23:59
3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Leadership research paper
n/a
25% Week 05
Due date: 18 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Leader in action group proposal
n/a
15% Week 09
Due date: 22 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Leader in action group presentation
n/a
20% Week 13
Due date: 22 May 2024 at 23:59
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Leadership Research Paper: Choose a proposition selected from the set readings for weeks one to five. Critically evaluate the proposition, drawing on the set readings, class discussions, and additional independent research you conduct about its theoretical and/or practical aspects
  • ‘Leader in Action’ Group Project: In this assignment you are asked, as a group, to undertake research about a ‘leader in action’ figure, and then to make a presentation to the whole class in the last week of the course about this figure. You will be trying to describe and explain the ‘leader in action’ by reference to the leadership literature.
  • Reflective Journal: In this assessment you are asked to write a reflective journal throughout the class. The journal should draw principally on material covered in class (readings, seminars) on the grounds that this is your primary source of learning; but it is also highly appropriate to draw on material you encounter in daily life: in the workplace, in the news media, and in popular culture. The reflective journal does not need footnotes or academic referencing.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. 

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

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

 

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 2023 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 2023. 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 Introduction to GOVT6313: What is leadership? Why study leadership? Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 02 Leadership ethics Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 03 Leadership and self-awareness Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 04 Leaders and followers Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 05 Transformational leadership Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 06 Charismatic leadership Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 07 Servant leadership Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 08 Crisis leadership Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 09 Indigenous leadership Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 10 Leadership and national context Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 11 Leadership and gender Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 12 Conclusions Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 13 Student presentations: leaders in action Seminar (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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.

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. demonstrate private reading, class discussion and critical evaluation of key scholarship concepts presented in the readings and in class
  • LO2. undertake independent research to develop and broaden knowledge base
  • LO3. demonstrate the skills of a reflective practitioner
  • LO4. undertake independent research in a variety of media and critically evaluating professional experience in an academic environment
  • LO5. complete weekly readings and individual and group assessment tasks
  • LO6. consider scholarship concepts in the light of practical external requirements
  • LO7. build personal networks through learning.

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.

The sequence and some content of learning activities has been updated (to reflect changes in scholarship and methods since 2019).

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.