49069 Leadership and Responsibility

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject level:

Postgraduate

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

Assessment Item 2: Group Presentation (Face to Face attendance mode students only)

Assessment Item 3: Leader Case Study (Distance mode students only)

Assessment Item 4: Response paper

Assessment Item 5: Subject Participation (Face to Face attendance mode students only)

Assessment Item 6: Subject Participation (Distance mode students only)

Required texts

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.

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 Standard (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) and the Reading Material (RM) at the UTS Union Shop. An electronic version of both the LSN and RM can be downloaded from UTSOnline.

Students enrolled in the class will be issued a subject 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.