Course Descriptions

Major and Minor Requirements
Course syllabi
Online catalog

LDST 101
Foundations of Leadership Studies
Introduction to leadership as an object of study through examination of its historical foundations and intellectual development. Readings from philosophy, politics, literature, and social theory. Emphasis on assessing classic texts in light of reasoned argument and on drawing leadership implications.
No prerequisite
Units: 1

LDST 205
Justice and Civil Society
Exploration of contemporary society and understandings of justice. Readings on civil society, theories of justice, and analysis of poverty and related socio-economic problems. Includes a service learning component with critical reflection on community service to populations in need.
(Prior to Spring 2005, course was LDSP 205 Service to Society.)
Prerequisite: Leadership Studies 101.
Units: 1

LDST 249
Research Methods
In-depth examination of various research methods used in leadership studies. Consideration of issues associated with design of studies, collection of various kinds of data, writing research proposals and reports, and analysis of data.
Prerequisites: Leadership Studies 101 and admission to the Jepson School of Leadership Studies as a major or minor.  
Units: .5

LDST 250
Critical Thinking
Examination of knowledge and argumentation as they pertain to leadership. Analysis of scientific methodology and logic, language, and interpretation, and their influence on study and practice of leadership.
(Prior to fall 2005, course was LDSP 301 Critical Thinking.)
Prerequisites: Leadership Studies 101 and admission to the Jepson School of Leadership Studies as a major or minor.
Units: .5

LDST 251
Group Dynamics
Introduction to scientific study of group processes through vocabulary, concepts, theories, and research. Both classic and contemporary theories and research are presented. Emphasis on both theoretical and applied components of group dynamics.
(Prior to spring 2005: course was LDSP 351 Leading Groups.)
Prerequisites: Leadership Studies 101 and admission to the Jepson School of Leadership Studies as a major or minor.
Units: 1

LDST 300
Theories and Models of Leadership
Examination of theories and models in leadership studies. Course introduces the role of theory in social science, and both classic and contemporary leadership theories/models are presented. Emphasis on critical analysis of theoretical perspectives. 
(Prior to fall 2005: course was LDSP 300 History and Theories of Leadership.)
Prerequisites: Leadership Studies 101, 250, and 251 and admission to the Jepson School of Leadership Studies as a major or minor.
Units: 1

LDST 302
Leadership in Organizations
Focus on leadership theory and research within and across formal organization settings such as public/private, profit/nonprofit, professional/nonprofessional, and unitary/multidivisional. Examination of rational, natural, and open systems and how leadership differs in each system.
Prerequisite: Leadership Studies 300.
Units: 1

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LDST 303
Leadership in Political Contexts
Informal and formal processes by which power and authority are exercised and leadership is selected within political systems in various settings. Examination of leadership in basic processes and institutions of government through case study of legislative issues.
Units: 1

LDST 304
Social Movements
Exploration of history of leadership in social movements. Comparison and contrast of forms, mechanisms, and practices of leadership in various stages of a social movement.  Examination of values of leaders as expressed through stories of ordinary people involved in leadership in social movements.
Units: 1

LDST 305
Leadership in Community and Volunteer Organizations
Examination of leadership in nonprofit sector organizations ranging from United Way to small neighborhood associations. Differentiation of leadership roles within organizations by structure, size, membership, and mission. Examination of responsibility for leadership as it pertains to voluntary organizations.
Units: 1

LDST 306
Leadership in Cultural and Historical Contexts
Analysis of impact of larger contextual factors on the process of leadership. Exploration of role of long-term social, political, economic, and intellectual forces, as well as the influence of cultural norms and values. Emphasis on application to actual leadership situations.
Units: 1

LDST 307
Leadership in International Contexts
Comparative study of leadership in other cultures and in cross-cultural organizations. Topics include cultural and ethical influences on leadership, the relationship between leaders and followers in other cultures and problems of cross-cultural leadership.
Units: 1

LDST 308
The Creation of the American Republic
Examines principles and practice of leadership within political context of the founding of the American Republic from 1776 through 1788. Primary focus will be on day-to-day work of the Constitutional Convention and the subsequent debates over ratification of the new constitution. (Same as Political Science 330).
Units: 1

LDST 352
Presidential Leadership
A study of theories of presidential leadership and assessments of several presidencies, including those of George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. Addresses the personal qualities and capacities as well as the situational and historical contingencies that influence the effectiveness of various presidencies. Also considers the nature of social perception and its role in appraisals of presidential performance. Special attention will be given to presidential campaigning and presidential debates. Each student will undertake the study of one or more presidents. (Same as Psychology 449).
Units: 1

LDST 354
Conflict Resolution
Understanding principles and dynamics of mediating disputes and achieving agreements between groups and individuals. Discussion of negotiating techniques and ethical issues related to use of such techniques by leaders. Use of simulations and exercises to practice skills for resolving conflicts.
Units: 1

LDST 356
Leading Change
Examines theories, concepts, and processes of leadership and change in several contexts including organizational, community, political, and societal.  Focuses on the purpose or reason for leading change in social structures, human conditions, dominant ideas, or prevailing practices using theoretical and experiential approaches.
Units: 1

LDST 357
Analyzing and Making Policy
Examination of leadership in analysis, making, and conduct of policy.  Analysis of choices, roles, and moral dimensions involved in cycle of policy. Comparison of policy making and leadership in different contexts.
Units: 1

LDST 376
Leadership and Governance in the Contemporary American Metropolis
Examination of political, economic, and civic structure of contemporary American cities and their surrounding suburbs through the lens of contemporary democratic theory. Critically assesses historical and contemporary strategies for improving urban life employed by leaders in each of these sectors, with particular attention to the constraints these actors face. Specific topics discussed include transportation, land use, economic development and fiscal management, public education, crime, poverty, the formation of governing regimes, multiracial coalition building, and suburban sprawl.
Units: 1

LDST 377
Ethical Decision Making in Health Care
Systematic examination of the central ethical decisions faced by leaders in medicine and health care. Topics include deception, decision making for incompetent patients, consent, abortion, euthanasia, disability, resource allocation, organ donation, and experimentation with humans and non-human animals. Readings by historical thinkers such as Jeremy Bentham, Immanuel Kant, and John Stuart Mill. contemporary readings from bioethicists such as John Finnis, Judith Jarvis Thompson, Derek Parfit, Jonathan Glover, James Rachels, Peter Singer, and Ronald Dworkin.
Units: 1

LDST 378
Statesmanship
Focus on statesmanship through historical and biographical case studies of such figures as the American founders, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill. Also will seek to understand ways in which constitutional, legal, and political institutions can encourage, thwart, or direct leadership on a grand political scale. (Same as Political Science 310).
Units: 1

LDST 379
Reason, Rhetoric, and Leadership
Consideration of the relationship between rhetoric and leadership. Focus will be on such examples as Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, the Declaration of Independence, The Federalist Papers, and the oratory of Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. (Same as Political Science 316).
Units: 1

LDST 386
Leadership in a Diverse Society
Focuses on historical and contemporary issues concerning the role, responsibility, and process of leadership in diverse communities, organizations, or groups. Students use readings, projects, and class exercises to examine leadership in diverse settings and in the classroom.
Units: 1

LDST 387
Leadership and Religious Values
Study of how persons draw on their religiously-based moral convictions as they lead and serve in a diverse society. Attention to public functions of religious ideas, practices, and communities. Focus on appropriate roles of religion in politics, the workplace, schools and universities, and civic organizations. (Same as Religion 370).
Units: 1

LDST 390
Selected Topics
Topics developed by Jepson School faculty, visiting faculty, or faculty in other schools of the University that address particular issues in leadership studies. Examples may include leadership and psychology and literature and leadership. May be taken more than once if topics vary.
Prerequisite: Varies depending on topic.
Units: 1

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LDST 399
Junior Honors Tutorial
Juniors accepted to honors track (in fall of junior year) work with Jepson faculty members in this spring tutorial to develop thesis proposal and preliminary bibliography to be accepted by the course instructor and a Jepson faculty thesis advisor.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to honors track.
Units: .5

LDST 450
Leadership Ethics
Application of moral theory to the values and assumptions of leadership, focusing especially on the ethical challenges of leaders past and present, group behavior, and leadership theory. Topics include self-interest, power, charisma, duty, obedience, and the greater good. (Prior to fall 2005, course was LDSP 350 Ethics and Leadership.)
Prerequisites: Leadership Studies 300. Restricted to senior majors and minors or by permission of instructor.
Units: 1

LDST 488
Internship
Applied experience in field of leadership studies and accompanying seminar. Observations of leaders in government, corporate, or nonprofit settings. Students are expected to apply what they have learned in required courses such as Theories and Models. Majors only. May not be taken prior to spring semester of junior year.
Prerequisite: Departmental Approval.
Units. .5-1

Independent Study

Independent study refers to special projects pursued individually under supervision of a Jepson faculty member. Jepson recognizes two types of independent study projects: student-initiated and collaborative.

LDST 490
Student-Initiated Independent Study
Allows students to pursue research on their own topic of interest under the supervision of a faculty member. Student-initiated independent study proposals must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at least two weeks before the beginning of classes for the semester in which the independent study is to take place. The student-initiated independent research experience will culminate in a final written product.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
Units: .5-2

LDST 491
Collaborative Independent Study
Provides students with the opportunity to conduct research collaboratively with a Jepson faculty member on a project of theoretical or methodological importance to the faculty member’s program of research. Collaborative independent research must involve more than providing research assistance to an ongoing project; rather, the student must take responsibility for conducting original research of scholarly value. Collaborative independent research will be grounded in rigorous methods appropriate to the discipline in which the student is working and will culminate in a final written product.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
Units: .5-2

LDST 492
Directed Study
Group reading and research in a specified area of leadership studies under faculty supervision.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
Units: 1

LDSP 495-496
Senior Thesis I and II
Year-long engagement in independent research project under supervision of faculty advisor.
Prerequisites: Departmental approval.
Units: 1-1

LDST 497-498
Senior Honors Thesis I and II
Year-long engagement in independent research to produce
written thesis worthy of honors in leadership studies. See description of Jepson honors track for further details.
Prerequisites: Leadership 399 and commitment of a faculty thesis advisor are required to register for 497; in December of senior year, upon oral presentation of research and proposal, Jepson faculty verifies permission to enroll in 498.
Units: 1-1

Recent New and Special Topics Courses

LDST 390-03: Community and the Political and Social Order
This course will explore a widespread perception: that in the past generation, America has witnessed a marked decline in the bonds and values of civil society. To some social critics, the evidence is all around us: in the eroding respect for institutions of authority that used to lend stability to American life; in the decline in civic participation at all levels of government; in the reluctance of citizens to put themselves forward as community leaders. Is the criticism accurate? Is the erosion of civil society a serious problem that the next generation of American leaders must attempt to correct, or is it an illusion, reflecting nostalgia rather than reality? In examining this question, the course will study contemporary critics such as Robert Putnam and Francis Fukuyama, considering their arguments and some of the rebuttals; dip into classic writings on community and authority, from Aristotle and Edmund Burke to Ayn Rand; and examine community and authority in other times and places: America during the 1950s and the early 20th century; Victorian England; and the dramatically different culture of Japan. Finally, we will consider the current American political system, and ask which arrangements of community and authority make for a healthy public realm.

LDST 390-02: Leadership and Literature: Fiction & the Moral Imagination 
This course begins its inquiry with Plato's attack on poetry in the Republic and goes on to consider responses to it, ranging from the sixteenth century to the twentieth. Why did Plato consider poets and other "imitators" a threat to the morality of the citizens and rulers of the state? Can literature lead people astray? And, if so, how? Is making fiction tantamount to lying? What is the function of literature, beyond entertainment? How do we gauge the influence of art—on individual as well as social life? After using the debates surrounding Plato's text to establish the terms of our discussion, we will examine more recent thoughts on the matter by looking at excerpts from both philosophical and literary-critical texts by Jean-Paul Sartre, Lionel Trilling, Iris Murdoch, Richard Rorty, and Martha Nussbaum, among others. Because of our focus on the novel as a genre, we will be particularly concerned with the potential for narrative literature to both shape the moral imagination and contribute to ethical discourse. Other themes and topics will include, but not be limited to: the relationship between public & private spheres; politics, history, & personal life; institutional change versus self-transformation; and responsibility versus freedom. Primary texts will be chosen from among the following (depending somewhat on participants): Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852); Orwell, 1984 (1949); Thomas, The White Hotel (1981); Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984); Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale (1986); Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day (1989); Allison, Bastard Out of Carolina (1992); McEwan, Atonement (2001).

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