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Leadership in Action (LiA) units aim to help students understand what it means to be a leader in the 21st century. The units explore complex current problems and ask: How does change happen? Who makes it happen? What does that tell us about leadership and how we do it?

This unit equip students with the tools to critically evaluate models and approaches to leadership and to apply these to a range of complex 21st century problems such as poverty, inequality and climate change. The unit also helps students to develop a toolkit of transferable skills that will boost their employability.

Students hear from leaders who are influencing change in the world around us, including some of the university's leading academics and leaders from the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The LiA unit is delivered entirely via Canvas. Students work through online learning modules, released at intervals through the semester. Each uses a range of bespoke audio/video inputs, case studies, and interactive eLearning activities designed to enhance learning and understanding.

Students discuss the topics covered in the learning modules in online discussion boards, as part of an interdisciplinary group of 25 students, supported throughout by a dedicated eTutor. 

Year 1 students are eligible to take this unit.

UCIL units are designed to be accessible to undergraduate students from all disciplines.

UCIL units are credit-bearing and it is not possible to audit UCIL units or take them for additional/extra credits. You must enrol following the standard procedure for your School when adding units outside of your home School.

If you are not sure if you are able to enrol on UCIL units you should contact your School Undergraduate office. You may wish to contact your programme director if your programme does not currently allow you to take a UCIL unit.

You can also contact the UCIL office if you have any questions.

The course unit aims to:

• Encourage an understanding of the importance of leadership of self and others
• Broaden intellectual and cultural interests
• Challenge and equip students to confront personal values and make ethical judgements
• Prepare graduates for citizenship and leadership in diverse, global environments
• Enhance employability

On successful completion of the unit you will be able to:

• Evaluate different models and theories of leadership, within a 21st century global context
• Analyse the ways in which leaders influence change and how leadership skills may be applied in both learning and occupational contexts
• Employ reflective learning skills in order to relate models of leadership to personal practice
• Analyse complex, `wicked¿, problems and leadership in response to them

The learning modules in the first half of the semester will introduce and examine:

• A definition of leadership in action
• Key leadership models and theories
• The concept of tame and wicked problems, and leadership in response to them
• How change happens and how leaders influence change
• Leadership and ethics

The learning modules in the second half of the semester will examine leadership and complex problems, from different perspectives, covering a range of leadership issues and challenges for the 21st century, such as:

• Poverty and inequality
• Access to higher education
• Culture and diversity
• Environmental sustainability and climate change

The unit is delivered entirely via Canvas. It is a highly interactive and innovative unit that adopts a blended approach with a range of audio and video inputs, and case studies from world-class internal and external contributors.

The unit content is supported by activities designed to enhance learning and understanding including:

• Tutor-facilitated online discussion forums examining issues raised by related weekly module content

   

Understand and critically evaluate a range of different models and theories of leadership

Relate models and theories of leadership to personal practice and dsiciplinary experience

Identify ways in which leaders influence change in a range of contexts

Appreciate different styles of leadership within a cultural context 

Develop critical evaluation skills through the analysis of models and theories of leadership

Develop reflective learning skills through the application of models and theories to personal context

Critically evaluate different leadership approaches to social, economic and environmental sustainability 

Understand, reflect on and evaluate their own leadership style using a variety of tools

Appreciate how to apply leadership skills in an academic and occupational context

Appreciate the importance of teamwork and cultural diversity

Contribute effectively to electronically-mediated discussions and debates 

Understand themselves and their leadership styles

Understand the styles, preferences and tendencies of others and how these impact upon management and employability

Demonstrating skills that contribute to effective leadership, including influencing, critical thinking and communication and research skills 

1. Ongoing, end of module assessments, including discussions and short online tests (20%)
2. 2 x written assignments: Choice of tasks with a leadership focus (80%)

Feedback will be available via Canvas.