Psychology 485: Leadership in Work Settings
With the recent corporate scandals, leadership has become a buzz word in many corporations. It has been said that leadership can actually determine the effectiveness of an organization! Thus it is important that we understand leadership. Leadership is not as simple as having a good leader: it is a complex phenomenon involving the leader, the situation, and the followers. We must learn to understand leadership as well as followership.
What will I learn in this course?
This 3-credit course will explore both the science and practice of leadership, with an emphasis on leadership in organizational settings. In order to evaluate various approaches to the study of leadership, we will study leadership as it is played out in modern organizations, fiction, drama, and in each student's life. By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Discuss the scientific study of leadership
- Be able to identify different leadership perspectives
- Synthesize ideas about leadership into meaningful concepts that can be applied in organizational settings
- Critically evaluate and develop your own leadership potential
This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. See your adviser if you have questions about how this course can be used in your program of study.
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
Psychology 100, Psychology 281 or 3 credits of MGMT are prerequisites for Psychology 485.
I've never taken an online course before. What is it like?
This course is taught completely online. We'll use Penn State's course management system, ANGEL, for Psychology 485, and you will be able to communicate with the professor and your classmates through chat, e-mail, and threaded discussions within ANGEL.
You do not need to come to campus at any time, and you do not need a proctor or remote testing site.
An online course, however, is not easier than on-campus course. In fact, it takes a lot more self-discipline. You must be willing and able to commit the same amount of time as you would for attending class and studying for a traditional course. You must also be a motivated, organized student who feels confident about reading to learn and who is comfortable working independently. If you're wondering whether an online course is right for you, take this short survey to find out more about how online learning is different.
What are the technological requirements for this course?
- Have access to a computer that meets the ANGEL technological requirements.
- Be comfortable with navigating the Internet
How is the course structured?
PSYCH 485 has fourteen topics, taught either in the regular fall or spring semester or an eight week summer session. There will be an online quiz on each lesson. There will also be one group or individual case or activity each week, and weekly discussion questions. There will be a final project due at the end of the semester.
Where can I get more information?
For more information about PSYCH 485 Online, see a recent course syllabus. To register, visit the Office of the University Registrar. At the beginning of each semester, all enrolled students should access PSYCH 485 at the site of Penn State's course management system, ANGEL .
"One of the first assignments I give my lieutenants is to have them go down to the motor pool and stand in front of a tank. I then tell them to yell out, “Right face!” Of course, the tank doesn’t move.
I don’t care how fancy or sophisticated your equipment or systems are, if you don’t have motivated people to operate it, then it doesn’t really matter.
Leadership isn’t about systems; it’s about people."
Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S Army
"A leader is best When people barely know that he Exists Not so good when people obey and Acclaim him, Worst of all when they despise him. “Fail to honor people, They fail to honor you.” But of a good leader, who talks little, When his work is done, his aim Fulfilled, They will all say, 'We did this Ourselves'"
Lao-tzu
"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
John F. Kennedy