49069 Leadership and Responsibility
UTS: Engineering: Systems, Management and LeadershipCredit points: 6 cp
Subject level: Postgraduate
Result Type: Grade and marksThere are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Subject coordinator
Tom Anderson
Building 2 Room 7078
Telephone: 9514 2639; Email: tom.anderson@uts.edu.au
Please do not hesitate to contact Tom should you have any academic questions relating to this subject.
Handbook description
This subject develops an understanding of the role of engineering managers as responsible leaders in organisations. It focuses on the need to work through other people, not only subordinates and supervisors, but other managers and leaders. The subject provides a comprehensive review of leadership theory. It teaches that there exists many complex facets of leadership and emphasises the belief that one should not accept a position of trust without accepting the responsibility that goes with it. However, the art of leadership cannot be learned solely from books or virtual cafes; it needs to be experienced and practised face-to-face. A central teaching element of this subject is class-based activities that require engagement, motivation, critical thinking, verbal communication, group participation and performance under time pressure.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is offered in a number of different modes. The learning objectives and content are the same for all modes. There are however some differences in emphasis and in assignment work as a result of specific constraints presented by the various modes. There are separate subject Instructions for Face to Face attendance mode students and Distance mode students.
The subject outline for the specific semester of study being undertaken must be read in conjunction with the subject Instructions.
The subject Instructions will be posted on UTSOnline. The Instructions provide additional information and advice on many facets of the subject content, its administration and the student’s obligations. It is mandatory that students obtain, read and comply with the requirements of both the subject outline and subject Instructions.
Subject announcements will be made using UTSOnline. Students are expected to regularly check the announcements page for information.
Assignments must be submitted electronically to ‘Turnitin’ as well as hard copy as specifically detailed for each assessment component.
Content
Leadership involves a complex range of activities and one possible framework for studying the topic is outlined below. This subject will focus on the elements of “the Research”, “the Popular Literature and Practitioner’s Views” and “Critical Thinking”.
SELF
- Leadership - the Research, the Popular Literature and Practitioner’s Views
- Self Management
- Ethics
- Critical Thinking
- Strategic Thinking
OTHERS AS INDIVIDUALS
- Motivation
- Coaching / Mentoring
- Conflict Management
OTHERS COLLECTIVELY
- Teams / Groups
- Communication / Meetings
ORGANISATION ISSUES
- Recruitment / Placement
- Appraising
- Training / Development
- Occupational Health and Safety
Assessment
Assessment item 1: Critical Analysis Assignment
| Weighting: | 15% |
| Task: | Select and critically analyse one of the articles from the Section in the “Topic Readings” nominated for the semester of study . The "Topic Readings" are included in the Postgraduate Lecture Support Notes (LSN). The nominated Section for the current semester is identified in “Further information” in the semester specific outline. The subject Instructions provide further requirements and advice. |
Assessment item 2: Group Presentation (Face to Face attendance mode students only)
| Weighting: | 20% |
| Task: | Students will be placed in groups of two for the purpose of this assignment Study a leader of your choice. Your leader may be either a real-life present day or historical person or a leader-character featured in literature or film. You must provide appropriate referencing including citing the novel or film if you choose a fictional character.
The subject Instructions provide further requirements and advice. |
Assessment item 3: Leader Case Study (Distance mode students only)
| Weighting: | 15% |
| Task: | This is an individual assessment component Study a leader of your choice. Your leader may be either a real-life present day or historical person or a leader-character featured in literature or film. You must provide appropriate referencing including citing the novel or film if you choose a fictional character. 1) Write a 750 word (2 page) essay on the nature of this person and the nature of their influence: What makes / made this person a successful leader? Further details, requirements and advice is provided in the subject Instructions-Distance mode. |
Assessment item 4: Response paper
| Weighting: | 25% |
| Task: | Write a personal response to Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The subject Instructions provide further requirements and advice. |
Assessment item 5: Subject Participation (Face to Face attendance mode students only)
| Weighting: | 40% |
| Task: | Attendance and participation in all class meetings and subject activities is compulsory for Face to Face students. Please make arrangements to attend all classes. Activities will be given in class and/or announced on UTSOnline Participation Mark Distribution: in general the 40 marks available for participation are likely to be spread over subject based activities as follows: Miscellaneous/Content/Class activities (10 marks) Manager from Technocrat (5 marks) Web Debates (25 marks) Progressive marks will not be published. Student participation marks will be released during the examination period. The subject Instructions provide further requirements and information. |
Assessment item 6: Subject Participation (Distance mode students only)
| Weighting: | 45% |
| Task: | Activities will be announced on UTSOnline Participation Mark Distribution: in general the 45 marks available for participation are likely to be spread over subject based activities as follows: Progressive marks will not be published. Student participation marks will be released during the examination period. The subject Instructions - Distance mode, provide further requirement and information. |
Required text(s)
Covey, Stephen R. (2004). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Free Press, Simon & Schuster, New York. This popular book which fits in the "self-help" genre is used as the basis for one of the assignments.
Indicative references
The academic content of the subject predominantly consists of the leadership theories that underpin current understanding. These are well documented in many standard texts, however as much as possible the subject considers the theories through the academic lens of critical analysis. For those students wishing to study beyond the "in class content" a text that appears to go some way towards being sympathetic with this approach is Nahauandi, Afsaneh (2003). The Art and Science of Leadership, 3rd Ed. Pearson Education Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Other resources
The subject is very significantly supported by UTSOnline http://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/
Subject instructions Face to Face Mode and Subject Instructions Distance Mode. Both will be posted on UTSonline, refer to the instructions appropriate for your mode of study.
"Turnitin" electronic assignment submission and plagarism detection system www.turnitin.com
Students enrolled in the subject can purchase, at cost, a copy of the subject Lecture Support Notes (LSN) at the UTS Union Shop. An electronic version can be downloaded from UTSOnline.
Students enrolled in the class will be issued a subject Postgraduate Workbook without cost. It will be provided at the first class and must be returned at the end of each class. Aspects of the workbook should helpful in understanding both the subject material and your individual characteristics and attributes. Distance students are provided with the Workbook to assist their self-study and self-assessment.
