Module Code - Title:

AH4123 - ETHICS, VALUES AND LEADERSHIP IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

This module is one of a new suite of Transferable and Applied Skills modules being developed as part of the new Applied BA Professional Pathways degree. This new degree blends subjects and modules traditionally available on arts, humanities and social science programmes with modules that respond to the increased demand in the workplace for transferable and applied skills. This module aims to strengthen the leadership capacity of participating students by engaging them not just in conceptual discussions about leadership but in active learning that will allow them to develop and practice a variety of leadership competencies, in both public and private sector contexts.

Syllabus:

Part 1 of this module will introduce students to broader academic and grey literature on leadership and to the challenges of leadership in the complex 21st Century society in which they live and where they are faced with multiple overlapping problems such as equality, climate change and migration. Students will be required to critically assess this literature and will explore the types of leadership that are required to deal with these complex problems and wicked issues. Part 2 of the module will focus on exploring students' own leadership styles and the development of their leadership competencies and will establish the link between leadership styles, ethics, values and critical thinking. Students will be required to participate in active, problem and/or scenario based learning designed to test and develop a number of leadership competencies, including problem framing, planning, team work, negotiation skills, conflict management and solution finding.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: - Demonstrate an understanding the role of leadership, especially in the public sphere, in the 21st Century - Analyse different leadership styles and be able to identify them in contemporary society. - Synthesise and evaluate the challenges facing leadership in the public sphere in the 21st century - Recognise their own leadership style, values and competencies

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: - Discuss the impact of values on defining / shaping leadership styles and approaches - Report on their own values, their origins and factors that may challenge / change them. - Participate in peer led discussions on the nature and role of leadership in the workplace of the 21st century

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

This module will be taught in a highly interactive fashion and will require a high level of active student participation, individually and in groups. The module will be applied in nature and will feature a number of relevant presentations from practitioners dealing with societal problems on a daily basis. As such the module will address a number of the UL Graduate Attributes including curiosity, responsibility and agility, and will enable students to see the role of leadership in relation to these attributes. The module will make linkages with the growing research and practical interest in transferable / transversal skills, in particular drawing out the leadership dimensions of critical thinking, problem solving and team working (World Economic Forum 2020).

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Holmes Tim; Blackmore, Elena; Hawkins Richard & Wakeford Tom (2011) The Common Cause Handbook. Common Cause. Machynlleth, Wales.'A Guide to Values and Frames for Campaigners, Community Organisers, Civil Servants, Fundraisers, Educators, Social Entrepreneurs, Activists, Funders, Politicians, and everyone in between , Common Cause

Zheng, Kark and Meister (2018) (2018) How Women Manage the Gendered Norms of Leadership , Harvard Business Review

Cotter-Lockard, Dorianne (ed) (2018) Authentic Leadership and Followership International Perspectives , Palgrave MacMillan

Mlodinow, Leonard (2022) Emotional: How Feelings Shape our Thinking , Pantheon Books

Goleman et al. (2017) HBR Emotional Intelligence Series , HBR

Evans, Paul, et al (2013) Critical Leadership Leader-Follower Dynamics in a Public Organization , Routledge

t'Hart Paul and Tummers Lars (2019) Understanding Public Leadership , Bloomsbury

Other Relevant Texts:

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Autumn

Module Leader:

chris.g.mcinerney@ul.ie