Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Course Materials
Required Readings
- Aylward, Scott and Moore, Pattye. (2007). Sometimes You Have to Face the Firing Squad. In Aylward and Moore, Confessions from the Corner Office (pp. 161-179). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
- Aylward, Scott and Moore, Pattye. (2007). Oops and Other Important Words to Lead By. In Aylward and Moore, Confessions from the Corner Office (pp. 181-195). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
- Harvard Business Review (2017). Manager’s Handbook: The 17 Skills Leaders Need to Stand Out. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press.
- Kets De Vries, M. F. R. (1993). "Managing the Ambiguities of Leadership and Power." In M. F. R. Kets De Vries (Ed.), Leaders, Fools and Imposters (pp. 175-184). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
- Kotter, J.P. (2021). Change: How Organizations Achieve Hard-to-Imagine Results in Uncertain Times. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
- Ibarra, Herminia, Jones, Adam (2019). Case Study: Jean-Philippe Courtois at Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations: Empowering Digital Success. Harvard Business Publishing.
- You will need to purchase a digital copy of the case for $4.25. Head to the Harvard Business Publishing website where you will need to create a student account to purchase and download the case. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/import/963277
Required Media
- 5 Voices Leadership Assessment and Video Modules. Data-Driven People Development: We unlock the potential of people. Go to http://www.giant.tv/5voices/summitpartners to create a free account, take the assessment and watch videos.
- YouTube video: 10 Businesses That Failed to Adapt
Additional and Recommended Materials
Students will be provided with additional and recommended reading and video content throughout the semester. These will include presentations on leadership and change management, articles, book chapters, relevant and recent publications on the specific topic discussed at that point in the semester. In addition to the materials mentioned above, students may also find it helpful to reference the following text as well:
- Kubicek, J. & Cochram, S. (2019). The 100X Leader: How to Become Someone Worth Following. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection Paper 1 |
Students will take an online leadership assessment and have an opportunity to watch on-demand videos about all 5 leadership voices. Students will write a 500-word reflection paper about what they learned about their personal leadership style and how this information will help them be better leaders. This paper will represent 20% of the student's final grade. |
20 |
| Reflection Paper 2 |
Students will research and watch two TED talks (of their own choice) about leading through significant change or disruption and will write a 500-word reflection paper on what they learned. This paper will represent 20% of the student's final grade. |
20 |
| Midterm Paper |
Students will need to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing managers in two different organizations given the internal and external realities facing their organizations. They will identify two mid-level managers and schedule an interview with them (either face-to-face or via a platform like Zoom). The assignment should be 2,000 words long. It will carry 25% of the student's final grade for the class. |
25 |
| Final Paper |
Students will focus a significant amount of time on the leadership and management of change processes, disruption or transformation – whether it is for department reorganization, external disruption (like the pandemic or competitor intrusion), internal disruption from financial issues, mergers and acquisitions, or business, technology or product/service transformations. For this assignment, students will research and find a company or division that has undergone significant change that is well-documented through scholarly writings and research, books, articles and/or case studies. Students will write a paper discussing in detail the change process, how well it was executed and subsequent discussions and evidence of the success or failure of the change. The assignment should be 2,000 words long. It will carry 25% of the students’ final grade for the class. |
25 |
| Participation |
Students will participate with meaningful input in weekly discussion boards as well as breakout sessions during Live Sessions on topics posted by the instructor. Your personal introduction, overall engagement in the class, as well as timely submission of all Discussion boards posts will represent 10% of the student's final grade. |
10 |
| Total | 100 |
Scale
| Points | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100 | A |
| 80–89 | B |
| 70–79 | C |
| 60–69 | D |
| Below 60 | F |
Course Components
Reflection Paper 1
Students will write a 500-word reflection paper on what they learned about their personal leadership style and how this information will help them be better leaders.
Reflection Paper 2
Students will write a 500-word reflection paper on how to lead through significant change or disruption.
Midterm Paper
Students will gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing managers in two different organizations by conducting face-to-face or virtual interviews.
Final Paper
Students will write a paper discussing in detail the change process, how well it was executed, and subsequent discussions and evidence of the success or failure of the change.
Weekly Discussion Board
Students will participate with meaningful input in weekly discussion boards as well as breakout sessions during Live Sessions on topics posted by the instructor.
Live Sessions
Most of the weekly Live Sessions will follow a general routine that starts with a short introduction and discussion with the whole class, followed by small group breakouts focused on that week's topic. Our students have found that the Live Sessions and small group breakouts have been a valuable component of this course. This is a great opportunity for networking, learning from others with a range of professional experience, and even helping each other with advice about major assignments.
In addition to the regular Live Sessions, there will be multiple sessions over the course of the term where we have guest speakers from industry leaders. For these sessions, we may be joined by another section of the course.
Course Policies
Communication
The best way to communicate with me is through email. If you have a question, I will respond as soon as possible, usually the same day. If you would like to schedule a call, send me an email, give me a few dates and times that work with your schedule and I will confirm a time that works for me as well.
Late Policy
All assignments/answers to discussion questions will be considered late if not turned in on Canvas by 11:59 p.m. on the date it is due. Assignments can be turned in early. Make-up assignments will only be given under the most extreme circumstances and you must make arrangements with me within the first week after missing the assignment’s submission deadline.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|